Saints Fall in Rematch to OC Riptide

PASADENA, CA- The Arroyo Seco Saints (2-5) fell 16-2 to the Orange County Riptide (8-1) through breakout runs after the sixth inning on Saturday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Field. 

Saints starting pitcher Joe O'Regan (Undecided) gave a strong outing, pitching six innings and allowing two runs — one unearned in the first, and another on an RBI single in the fourth. 

Despite his performance, the game slipped away late. "We were able to do what we could; unfortunately, a lot piled up late, and it just got away from us quick," O'Regan said. 

Reflecting on giving up four hits and striking out three batters, he shared, "I feel I did about as good as I could have, given the situations." 

Looking ahead, O'Regan is ready for growth and success within the Saints, saying, "We're definitely looking forward for everybody to grow together and to start beating teams."

The Saints loaded the bases in the fifth but failed to answer back with a run after Orange County escaped through back-to-back strikeouts. 

The Riptide scored 14 runs after the sixth inning to take a sizable lead.

Dylan Immel (Undecided) had several great defensive plays at second base, notably on a sharp line drive that bounced off O'Regan's glove before he reacted quickly to secure the out. 

In the bottom of the eighth, Brayden Flores (Loyola Marymount University) walked and Evan Reiter (Santa Ana College) doubled to left field to give the Saints another prime scoring opportunity. Flores scored the first run for the Saints on a wild pitch. 

Immel scored the Saints' second run in the ninth. The rally began with Immel's single; Blake Mitchell (Undecided) followed with a ground-rule double, and a broken-bat single from Reiter drove Immel home. 

Behind the plate, catcher Cameron Andrews (California Baptist University), who got on base three times, continued to support his pitchers even when the Saints fell further behind. "Games get long when you walk people and don't throw strikes, so [words of encouragement] is the main thing," he said. 

Andrews credits good coaching for developing his patient approach to the plate, as reflected in his two walks Saturday. "I go up there and I'm looking for something specific, and if they don't throw it, it's easy for me to take pitches as I'm focused on certain things."  

The Saints are set to face the Conejo Oaks (4-2) in their second away game of the season at Ventura College on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Contributors:

• Saints Reporter: Cynthia Fausto (University of California, Irvine)

• Saints Photographer: Aaliyah Alamillo (University of La Verne)