Photo by Joey Gray / JPWest Media
Irvine Valley made a comeback in the final innings, but fell in an Orange Empire Conference game to Santa Ana, 9-6, at home Monday.
The game was moved from Tuesday to Monday to beat the incoming rain.
Irvine Valley is now scheduled to play at Santa Ana on Friday at 1 p.m. with the finale of the series taking place on Saturday at IVC at noon.
Updates will be posted based on weather and field conditions.
Irvine Valley's record went to 12-9 overall and 0-4 in conference and Santa Ana went to 13-6 overall and 4-0 in the OEC.
Santa Ana left-handed pitcher Josh Rodriguez went seven innings, giving up two runs on three hits with five strikeouts to keep the Lasers at bay.
The Dons scored two runs in the first inning and added a run in the top of the fourth to take a 3-0 lead.
Santa Ana was up, 6-0, after scoring three more runs in the top of the eighth.
But the Lasers started to rally. They scored three runs in the bottom of the frame on an RBI double by freshman center fielder Sam Tucci, an RBI double by freshman third basemen Dylan Myorga, and a RBI single to center by freshman second baseman Josh Gutierrez.
Santa Ana put the game away in the top of the ninth inning with three more runs to go ahead, 9-3.
Irvine Valley made it close in the bottom of the ninth with three runs to make it a 9-6 game, but it wasn't enough.
For the Lasers, Tucci went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBI.
Myorga also had two hits, going 2 for 2 with a run and two RBI, freshman shortstop Jake Amundson had a hit and scored two runs and freshman second baseman had one hit and one RBI.
Santa Ana was paced by Cole Kenrich with two hits, including a double, and four RBI and Christian Altamirano, who went 3 for 4 with a run and two RBI.
Sophomore right-hander Tyler Eastham took the loss for the Lasers. He battled and went six innings and gave up three runs on eight hits and one walk with three strikeouts.
