By Jalen Kang
Five first-inning runs by the Riptide proved too steep of a mountain to climb back from as the Foresters fell to OC 8-4 on Saturday night.
The first five Riptide (7-5) batters reached and scored in an inning that saw them bat around. After a half inning, the Riptide led 5-0 before the ❜Sters offense saw a pitch.
In the third, Jonny Rodriguez dunked a bloop single into left field for the ❜Sters’ (7-4) first base runner of the game. Ryan Tayman got the ❜Sters on the board by driving in Dylan Fishbough, who pinch-ran for Rodriguez.
The Riptide sucked any momentum the ❜Sters run got them by answering back with three runs in the fourth to extend their lead 8-1.
The ❜Sters added two runs in the bottom of the fourth to help the cause but missed out on an opportunity to add more as they left the bases stranded.
In the seventh, Tayman reached with a leadoff walk, moved into scoring position, and scored on an RBI infield single by Kaden Peterson that rolled into foul play to cut the deficit to 8-4. But runners left on would be the back-breaker for the ❜Sters, as they once again recorded the third out with the bases loaded.
Shea Wendt and Reid Hensley were two bright spots out of the ❜Sters’ bullpen. Hensley entered in relief in just the first inning and threw 2.1 innings of shutout ball with four strikeouts. Wendt ate 3.2 innings, also allowing no runs while striking out four.
The ❜Sters won’t have to wait long to get another crack at the Riptide. They face them tomorrow on the road at OC Great Park. Catch the game on your device from anywhere by visiting our YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@SantaBarbaraForesters19.
