Riverside Knocks Saddleback Out of First

Saddleback moved into a first-place tie earlier this week, but the Gauchos were evicted Thursday.

Visiting Riverside rallied for six runs after two were out in the seventh inning and went on to win, 8-6, in an Orange Empire Conference baseball game.

Saddleback had beaten Riverside, 4-3, Tuesday to gain a share of first, but the Tigers (26-9, 12-6) now hold a one-game lead over Saddleback (25-9, 11-7) and Santa Ana (27-9, 11-7) with six left.

Saddleback starter Kekoa Colon held a 4-2 lead in the seventh and got the first two outs but was removed after falling behind two balls and a strike to Greg Dobbs, who then worked reliever Jeff Barndollar for a walk.

Jaeme Leal, who hit his 17th homer in the first inning, doubled and both scored when Jeff Bajenaru singled to tie it, 4-4.

Greg Blum followed with a homer deep to left to give Riverside a 6-4 lead. Patrick Gonzalez added an RBI single and Jason Clements was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in Riverside’s final two runs in the inning.

Lars Birkeland and Levi Groomer had home runs and Groomer also had a two-run double for Saddleback.