After some hits and misses in its first two games of the 2017 season, Irvine Valley's baseball team put things together Tuesday afternoon to earn its first win.
The Lasers were solid on the mound, got some clutch hits and played solid defense in shutting out Long Beach City, 5-0, at Long Beach.
IVC had dropped its previous two games to Long Beach City, 7-6, last Friday on the road and then, 11-9, last Saturday at home.
The big story for Irvine Valley in the win Tuesday was the effort turned in by sophomore starting pitcher Tyler Venturelli.
The right-hander hurled seven shutout innings. He gave up six hits and no walks and struck out four batters.
Freshman Dominic Dipaolo was also solid. He finished the game off with two scoreless and hitless innings. Diapaolo struck out one.
The game was scoreless for both teams through the first four innings.
But in the top of the fifth, IVC got on the board.
Sophomore shortstop Tyler Odekirk hit a double down the left field line to lead off.
He later scored on a wild pitch with two outs.
Irvine Valley then broke the game open in the top of the eighth with five runs.
Sophomore right fielder Cole Joy had an RBI single up the middle. Sophomore designated hitter Robbie Espinosa had an RBI single and then Odekirk knocked in two runs with a single up the middle.
Odekirk ended up going 3 for 5 with two RBI. Freshman second baseman Collin Conroy was 2 for 3.
Freshman third baseman Ryan Rafferty contributed with two sacrifices. And Joy, freshman catcher Ryan Gaynor and freshman left fielder Michael Hascup each had stolen bases.
Irvine Valley will play again in the Daivd Buttles Memorial Tournament starting on Thursday at College of the Desert.
IVC plays host Desert at 1 p.m.
The Lasers will take on Palomar on Friday and finish the tournament with a game against San Bernardino Valley on Saturday.