Baseball: Long Beach drops 3-1 non-conference game at Irvine Valley

Irvine Valley's baseball team picked up a 3-1 non-conference win over Long Beach City on Tuesday at home. Irvine Valley improved its record to 11-16 overall, while Long Beach City fell to 11-14.

IVC freshman right-hander Jesus Meza earned the win with seven strong innings. he gave up just one run on three hits with three strikeouts. Meza improved to 5-2.

Neither team did a whole lot on offense. Irvine Valley finished with just five hits and Long Beach City had four hits.

Irvine Valley took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, in part, thanks to a couple of passed balls. Freshman first baseman Danny Jimenez singled and then freshman designated hitter Sam Kim was hit by a pitch. Freshman third baseman Jordan Geiger laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners.

Long Beach City starting pitcher Stefan Miladinovich then struck out the next IVC batter for the first out of the inning. But a passed ball allowed Jimenez to score from third and Kim to move from second to third. Another passed ball brought in Kim and gave Irvine Valley a 2-0 lead.

Long Beach City made it a 2-1 game in the top of the seventh after Edwin Santiago tripled and then Chris Miranda knocked him in with a groundout.

Irvine Valley scored its final run of the game on a solo home run by Geiger to left field in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Sophomore Bryan Castelli pitched two scoreless innings to close out the game for Irvine Valley and earn his second save of the year. He gave up just one hit.

Miladinovich, making his first start of the season for the Vikings, took the loss. He went six innings and gave up two runs (none earned) on three hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

The two teams will play again on Thursday at Long Beach City at 2 pm.

Game story courtesy of Irvine Valley Sports Information. Photo by Chris Ruiz