Irvine Valley's baseball team ran into one of the top teams in the state this week.
The Lasers dropped the Orange Empire Conference season finale to Saddleback, 7-2, on the road.
Saddleback swept the series.
Irvine Valley's record fell to 14-18 overall and 3-12 in conference.
Saddleback remained in first place in the conference.
The Bobcats took control early, scoring five runs on on six hits and one walk in the bottom of the first inning.
And Saddleback pitcher Ryan Farmer did the rest. He pitched through the seventh inning to improve to 6-2 on the year.
Saddleback moved to 24-8 overall and 11-4 in the OEC.
For Irvine Valley, freshman first baseman Casey Kudell continued to shine with two more hits. He upped his average to a team-best .393. Kudell also ranks seccond in the conference in batting at .479.
Freshman right-hander Ryan Barlow took the loss on the mound, giving up seven runs in five innings.
Irvine Valley plays again next Tuesday, hosting LA Harbor in a non-conference game at the OC Great Park Field 10 at 2 p.m.
