Irvine Valley's baseball team tried to salvage a game in its three-game Orange Empire Conference series with Golden West at home on Saturday.
The Lasers had a 1-0 lead heading into the seventh inning and sophomore right-hander John Stevens was looking sharp on the mound.
But the Rustlers scored two runs in the top of the seventh and added five more in the top of the ninth to earn a 7-4 win over IVC.
The loss dropped Irvine Valley's record to 14-9 overall and 2-4 in conference. Golden West improved to 12-9 overall and 4-2 in conference.
Stevens took the hard-luck loss to slip to 4-2. He went eight innings and gave up two runs on five hits and a walk with one strikeout.
Stephen Knapp, who allowed IVC just three hits and one run through seven innings, picked up the win to move to 4-2.
Irvine Valley took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth when sophomore right fielder Cole Joy hit a solo home run over the left field fence off of Knapp.
But Golden West came right back with two runs in the top of the seventh on RBI singles by Myles Moran and Jeff Zordani to take a 2-1 lead.
Golden West put the game out of reach in the top of the ninth inning with five runs - four off of IVC sophomore Austin Reynolds and another run off of freshman Eric Brunst.
Chris Rodriguez had a two-run single, Louie Canjura had a RBI single on a bunt and then Golden West scored a run on a fielder's choice and another on a double steal.
IVC tried to rally in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Lasers loaded the bases with no outs. Then freshman left fielder Wes McGinness walked to bring in a run and make it 7-2.
Freshman pinch hitter Cain Allen followed with another walk to bring in freshman catcher Ryan Gaynor and bring IVC to within 7-3.
Sophomore shortstop Tyler Odekirk looked like he had a single on a ball hit to right, but Golden West was able to get a force out at second for the second out of the inning.
Odekirk's fielder's choice still knocked in a run and pulled IVC to within 7-4.
But Taylor Franzman got a foul out to end the game.
Joey went 2 for 4 with the home run, two runs scored and one RBI to lead IVC at the plate.
Zordani went 2 for 4 with one RBI for Golden West.
Irvine Valley starts play in a three-game conference series at home on Tuesday at 2 p.m. against Riverside.
