Irvine Valley's baseball team had an up and down start to the season.
But the Lasers are off on the right foot to open Orange Empire Conference play.
Irvine Valley scored a run in the bottom of the ninth and earned a 4-3 win over Saddleback Thursday afternoon at Irvine Valley.
The Lasers held a 3-0 lead heading into the top of the ninth inning after scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth off of Saddleback reliever Chase Jones.
But Saddleback rallied for three runs (one earned) to tie the score 3-3. IVC committed three errors in the inning.
IVC scratched across the winning run in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded. Saddleback reliever Chase Huntley walked IVC sophomore shortstop Dallas Porter with the bases loaded to bring in a run and end the game. The run was unearned thanks to an error by Saddleback to start the inning.
IVC sophomore pitcher A.J. Wolfson picked up the win in relief and improved to 2-0 on the season. Saddleback's Huntley suffered the loss and fell to 2-1.
The two teams combined for just 10 hits in the game, but also seven errors.
Dylan Diaz was 2 for 4 with a run scored and Brett Barker was 0 for 3 with a sac fly RBI for Saddleback.
IVC was paced by sophomore left fielder Matt Harris, who went 2 for 4, and Porter, who was 0 for 3, but had two RBI. Porter brought Irvine Valley's first run in the bottom of the eighth when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Both starting pitchers were strong. Saddleback's Anthony Shew pitched 6.0 scoreless innings. He gave up three hits and had six strikeouts.
IVC sophomore Chris Lumanlan pitched eight shutout innings before getting in some trouble in the top of the ninth. He ended up going 8.0 innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits with three strikeouts.
Saddleback saw its record slip to 8-5 overall and 0-1 in conference, while IVC moved to 5-8 overall and 1-0 in conference.
Irvine Valley is scheduled to host Cypress on Saturday at noon weather permitting.
