Irvine Valley's baseball team out-hit Golden West, 9-4, on Tuesday afternoon in the first game of an Orange Empire Conference series at Irvine Valley.
But that didn't help the Lasers, who are ranked No. 12 in Southern California, in the final score.
Golden West scored two runs in the top of the third, including one unearned and went on to a 2-1 victory over IVC.
The loss dropped Irvine Valley's record to 14-7 overall and 2-2 in conference.
Golden West improved to 10-9 overall and 2-2 in conference.
Irvine Valley sophomore right-hander Austin Reynolds took the tough loss. He gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks in eight innings. Reynolds (3-1) had five strikeouts.
Taylor Franzman earned the win for Golden West and improved to 5-3.
He went seven innings and gave up one run on nine hits and one walk with two strikeouts.
Adam Moses pitched two scoreless innings to pick up the save for the Rustlers.
In the top of the third, Golden West scored its first run on a RBI single up the middle by Louie Canjura.
Soon after, an errant pick-off throw allowed Jeremiah Vison to score from third base.
Irvine Valley scored its run in the bottom of the sixth inning when freshman catcher Adam Gaynor singled through the right side. The hit scored sophomore right fielder Cole Joy, who had singled to lead off the inning.
But IVC left a slew of runners on base throughout the contest and hit into two key double plays.
Joy ended up going 3 for 4 for IVC and Gaynor was 2 for 4 with one RBI.
Irvine Valley plays again on Thursday at Golden West at 2 p.m.
