Irvine Valley's baseball team found itself in an early hole on Wednesday afternoon against Orange Coast at home.
The Lasers gave up six runs in the top of the first inning, but IVC battled back and sent the game to extra innings, before falling, 10-8, in 11 innings.
Orange Coast has taken the first two games of the series. The finale will be played on Saturday at noon at OCC.
IVC started chipping away in the bottom of the second, getting one run on a RBI single by freshman second baseman Shane Kary.
The Lasers pulled within 6-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning with three runs. Sophomore third baseman Dante Faicchio had an RBI single, Kary knocked in a run with a groundout and sophomore left fielder Kyle Dobson scored on an error.
IVC tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with two more runs. Dobson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and then freshman first baseman Casey Kudell brought in a run with a groundout.
OCC jumped back in front, 8-6, with a pair of runs in the top of the eighth. Oscar Favela scored on a wild pitch and and Jared Schatz walked with the bases loaded.
But Irvine Valley once again tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Freshman right fielder Bradley Wilkison scored on a wield pitch and Dobson brought in a run with a fielder's choice.
The game stayed stuck at 8-8 until the top of the 11th inning, Chase Hanson hit a double to right field that brought in Carey Arbolid and Drew Baltruw and gave OCC a 10-8 advantage.
And ended up being the final score of the 4-hour and 22-minute game.
Orange Coast improved its record to 12-8 overall and 3-2 in conference, while Irvine Valley went to 11-10 overeall and 1-4 in the OEC.
Wilkison, freshman shortstop David Dorado, Dobson and Kary each had two hits for the Lasers. Dobson and Kary each also finished with two RBI.
Freshman righty Dallas Carpenter started the game on the mound for IVC. He went six innings and gave up six runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Freshman Connor Neves suffered the loss in relief. He went four innings and gave up two runs on three hits and four walks with five strikeouts.
For OCC, Hanson was 2 for 6 with two RBI, Schatz went 2 for 5 with one RBI, Nolan Funke was 2 for 4 with two RBI and David Morgan went 1 for 5 with a home run. His three-run homer was the big blow for OCC in the top of the first.
Jake Lopez picked up the win in relief, going four innings and not allowing a run. He gave up two hits and one walk and had two strikeouts.
