Photo by Richard Do / JPWest Media
In a tough, scrappy game throughout, the Irvine Valley baseball team scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the lead for good and defeated Compton, 4-2, at home Wednesday.
The game was originally scheduled to be hosted by Compton, but was moved to IVC because of field issues on the road.
The stories of the day were solid pitching and a late rally by the Lasers.
Irvine Valley got on the board first with sophomore first baseman Jackson Snitko knocking in sophomore second baseman Chase Quezada with a squeeze bunt.
Quezada, who led off, singled to center field to start things, stole second with one out and then moved to third after a Compton error.
The Lasers led, 1-0, after one.
It remained that way for a while.
That was until Compton put two runs on the board in the top of the seventh inning to take a 2-1 advantage. Compton scored two runs on three hits and one IVC error.
Nathan Dodero and Corey Guy each had RBI singles.
But the Lasers were not done.
Irvine Valley answered in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The comeback started with a single by sophomore Shaun McCaghren. Sophomore first baseman Jackson Snitko then walked to put two runners on with one out.
Freshman designated hitter Connor Gomez then walked for the Lasers to load the bases.
After a pitching change, IVC freshman right fielder/center fielder Sam Tucci took a walk to bring in a run and pull the Lasers even.
Sophomore catcher Aaron Serrato was next up to pinch hit and got hit by a pitch to bring in another run to give Irvine Valley a 3-2 lead.
Freshman first baseman Dylan Mayorga gave IVC a two-run cushion with an RBI sacrifice fly to make it a 4-2 game.
The two pitchers on the mound for IVC on the day did the rest.
Freshman lefty Christian Viggiano gave the Lasers their best start on the bump of the year, going seven innings and allowing just five hits and two runs (none earned) with no walks and four strikeouts.
Freshman right-hander Andres Hernandez (out of Irvine High) closed things out with two scoreless innings and a save. He went two innings and gave up one hit and one walk.
On the offensive side of things, Irvine Valley had just six hits, but grinded it out all day.
Tucci walked three times and had one RBI and Snitko went 1 for 2 with a run scored, a walk and one RBI. As a team, Irvine Valley batters walked five times.
IVC plays at Ventura in a non-conference game on Friday at 2 p.m.
The Lasers are back at home next Tuesday, hosting Ventura.
