Irvine Valley's baseball team had its chances against the top-ranked team in the state in the opener of a three-game Orange Empire Conference series at home on Tuesday.
The Lasers needed three outs to seal a victory, but Orange Coast tied the game up in the top of the ninth inning and then took the lead for good in the 10th on its way to a 5-3 win.
The two teams meet in the second game of the series on Thursday at Orange Coast at 2 p.m.
Orange Coast improved its record to 17-3-1 overall and 4-0 in conference, while No. 11 Irvine Valley fell to 15-5-1 overall and 1-3 in conference. IVC has lost two games by one run and now another in extra innings so far in conference play.
Irvine Valley led, 2-1, heading into the top of the ninth inning, but then an error and a sacrifice bunt that ended up going down as a hit put OCC runners on first and third with no one out against IVC sophomore closer Noah Bradford.
Bradford struck out the next batter, but then Syler Limonchi lifted a fly ball to center that was deep enough to bring in Adam Serrano from third base to tie the score.
Orange Coast then added three runs in the top of the 10th inning. Davis Delorefice Knocked in one run with a sacrifice fly and then with two outs, Joey Fregosi drove in two runs with a double down the left field line to put Orange Coast ahead, 5-2.
Irvine Valley was able to score one run in the bottom of the 10th on a groundout by freshman shortstop Robert Haw, but it wasn't enough.
Irvine Valley freshman starting pitcher Brennen Farber battled through an impressive 7.1 innings on the mound. He gave up one run on six hits and one walk.
Bradford was charged with a tough loss. He was charged four runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks with one strikeout.
Delorefice picked up the win in relief for the Pirates. He pitched two innings and gave up one run on one hit with one strikeout.
Miles Sandum started the game for OCC and went three scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
Freshman second baseman Luke Armstrong was 3 for 5 with a run scored, freshman left fielder Kyle Dobson was 1 for 5 with one RBI and Haw was 1 for 3 with one RBI and a walk for the Lasers at the plate.
