The Irvine Valley baseball team wrapped up its three-game Orange Empire Conference series with Riverside on the road Friday and Saturday.
The Lasers dropped a tough, 5-4 decision on Thursay at home. Riverside swept the series with a 6-4 victory on Friday and then a 7-1 win on Saturday.
Irvine Valley climbed back into Friday's contest with two runs in the top of the eighth inning. Freshman left fielder Darren Porter hit an RBI single to pull IVC within 5-3. And then sophomore second baseman Nolan Cusey grounded out to bring in another run,
But Riverside added a run back in the bottom of the eighth inning on a run-scoring single by Casey Murray Jr. And the game ended that way.
Freshman center fielder Shane Stafford went 3 for 5 with two runs scored. Cusey was 3 for 5 with two RBI, sophomore designated hitter Drew Porter was 2 for 5 with a triple and two RBI and sophomore right fielder Noah Madole added two hits.
Irvine Valley out-hit Riverside, 12-8, in the game.
Sophomore right-hander Austin Chapman took the loss. He went three innings and gave up two runs on three hits with three walks.
IVC then suffered a 7-1 defeat Saturday.
The game was scoreless until the fifth inning. Riverside pushed across a run in the bottom of the fifth. IVC tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the sixth on a passed ball.
But Riverside took the lead for good with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Sophomore right-hander Ryan Barlow pitched well, but took the loss. He gave up four runs on eight hits with five strikeouts. His record went to 1-3 on the year.
Cusey led the Lasers on offense with two hits.
Irvine Valley, which had its record fall to 9-17 overall and 0-9 in conference, plays again on Tuesday, hosting Santa Ana in a conference game at 2 p.m.