The Orange Panthers will venture away from home to challenge the Irvine Vaqueros at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. One thing working in Orange's favor is that they have posted at least ten runs in their last four games.
Orange gave up the first runs on Friday, but they didn't let that get them down. They were the clear victors by a 14-1 margin over Saddleback. Considering the Panthers have won 13 contests by more than five runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Abraham Ontiveros
| 05/01/26 @ Saddleback | 3 |
| 04/28/26 vs Saddleback | 3 |
| 04/24/26 vs Anaheim | 3 |
| 04/17/26 @ Bolsa Grande | 3 |
| 04/07/26 @ Rancho Alamitos | 3 |
| + 14 more games |
Abraham Ontiveros made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in strikeouts (three). He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with one home run, two stolen bases, and three runs. He is becoming a predictor of Orange's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 8-9 when he doesn't).
In other pitching news, Daniel Vergara and Dirk O'Dette dominated on the mound. Vergara struck out six batters over two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and only one walk), while O'Dette tossed four innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits. Vergara has been consistent for a while: he hasn't given up more than two walks in nine consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, Braxton Nock was a standout: he went 3-for-4 with three RBI and one run. He has been hot recently, having posted three or more RBI the last three times he's played. Another player making a difference was Evan Gonzalez, who went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases and one run.
Orange kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in four consecutive matchups.
Laguna Beach typically has all the answers at home, but on Friday Irvine proved too difficult a challenge. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with an 8-6 victory over the Breakers. Winning may never get old, but the Vaqueros sure are getting used to it with their fifth in a row.
Orange's record now sits at 18-9. As for Irvine, their record is now 14-12.
Orange couldn't quite get it done against Irvine when the teams last played back in March of 2018 as they fell 6-1. Can the Panthers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
