Irvine Valley's baseball team dropped three straight Orange Empire Conference games to Golden West this past week.
IVC had its chances on Tuesday at home, but fell late, 13-12, and then lost in Huntington Beach, 11-3, on Thursday and slipped up against the Rustlers, 10-3, on Saturday at home.
Irvine Valley's record went to 13-24 overall and 4-14 in conference after the three games, while Golden West, who is in first place in the OEC went to 26-11 overall and 13-5 in conference.
On Tuesday at home, Irvine Valley took a 12-5 lead into the top of the eighth inning, but Golden West scored three runs in the top of the eighth and five more in the top of the ninth inning to come away with the win.
In that contest, freshman first baseman Jackson Snitko had three hits for the Lasers and freshman designated hitter Shaun McCaghren and freshman catcher Aaron Serrato each hit home runs.
McCaghren finished with three RBI, Serrato and freshman right fielder Kade Murray each had two RBI and freshman second baseman Chase Quezada, freshman left fielder Drew Seidel and sophomore shortstop Conner Hoskinson each contributed two hits.
Quezada also had two RBI and two walks in the game.
On Saturday in the finale of the series, the Rustlers jumped out to a 5-1 advantage after five innings and never looked back,
IVC was led by Snitko. He went 1 for 2 with a run scored, one RBI and two walks. Murray also had a hit and one RBI and Quezada reached base three times with three walks. He also scored a run.
Freshman right-hander Zack Marker took the loss for the Lasers on the mound. He went six innings and gave up five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
Irvine Valley finishes up the regular season next week against district rival Saddleback. The Lasers are on the road on Tuesday and Saturday and host the Bobcats on Thursday at 2 p.m.
