The Irvine Valley baseball team was ready to earn one of its best wins of the season Tuesday afternoon at the OC Great Park.
But Saddleback stunned the Lasers with two runs in the top of the ninth inning to earn a come-from-behind, 5-4, Orange Empire Conference victory over IVC.
Irvine Valley, behind a solid start on the mound from freshman right-hander Jeremy Wiegman, held a 4-1, lead heading into the sixth inning.
Saddleback cut the lead to 4-3 with two runs in the top of the seventh.
But the Lasers were still just three outs away from picking up the win going into the ninth inning.
Saddleback started the top of the ninth with a base hit by Nick Dietsch. Liam O'Connor ran for Dietch and moved to second base on a wild pitch. O'Connor moved to third on a fly out. Saddleback's Danilo Tiotuico then walked and Johnathan Behm followed with a sacrifice fly to score O'Connor and tie the game at 4. Tuitico advanced to second base on the throw home.
With two outs in the inning, Nation Wood hit a go-ahead double to left center and Saddleback took its first lead of the game.
The Lasers couldn't answer in the bottom of the ninth against Saddleback pitcher Ethan Holt. He struck out two of the four batters he faced in the inning. Holt earned the win. He pitched four innings in relief and didn't allow a run with six strikeouts.
Saddleback improved its record to 9-4 overall and 5-2 in conference, while Irvine Valley slipped to 3-9-1 overall and 3-7 in conference.
Freshman second baseman Eric Burckle and freshman shortstop Shane Kary each led Irvine Valley with two hits apiece. Kary also had one RBI. Sophomore left fielder Dante Faicchio also had a hit and one RBI for IVC.
Wiegman pitched five innings, allowing one run (unearned) on four hits and six walks with six strikeouts.
Freshman reliever Ryan Barlow took the loss. He pitched one inning and gave up two runs on two hits and one walk.
The two teams will be back at it again on Thursday at the OC Great Park Stadium in Irvine. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
