A game that had many swings and changes with the Irvine Valley baseball team on Tuesday at home ended up going to Grossmont as the Griffins scored three runs to rally for a 9-8 win.
Irvine Valley, ranked No. 8 in the state in the latest CCCBCA rankings, had its record go to 10-2 overall.
Grossmont, with the win, improved to 9-5.
The two teams play again at IVC on Wednesday at 2 p.m. as Grossmont's field is unplayable.
On Tuesday, Irvine Valley was chasing from the start.
A couple of misplays on the field and then a three-run homer by Grossmont's Justin Heffler put the Griffins ahead, 6-0, in the top of the of the fifth inning.
But IVC rallied.
The Lasers put up two runs in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI double by sophomore center fielder Brandon Abernathy and then an error by Grossmont to make it a 6-2 game.
Irvine Valley then took the lead in the sixth, scoring six runs to take a 8-6 advantage.
Freshman second baseman Adrian Covarrubias knocked in freshman shortstop Mason Gerhardt with an RBI single to get things going.
Freshman first baseman Ceja earned a walk with the bases loaded to bring IVC within 6-4.
Sophomore right fielder Sam Tucci had the big hit of the inning, doubling down the left field line to clear the bases and give Irvine Valley a 7-6 lead.
Freshman catcher Shane Flynn added the sixth run of the inning with an RBI single.
But Grossmont won the game by scoring three runs in the top of the ninth inning.
Heffler walked with the bases loaded to give Grossmont a 9-8 lead.
For Irvine Valley, Tucci went 2 for 4 with a run scored and three RBI, and Flynn an d Covarrubias each contributed two hits. Flynn also had two walks and one RBI.
Irvine Valley freshman righty reliever Cooper Payne took the loss, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks in 1.1 innings.
The Lasers host Grossmont again on Wednesday with a scheduled start time of 2 p.m.
