2013 season starts with a bang

The Saddleback baseball program couldn't have written a better script for opening day if they tried.  The Gauchos opened up a big early and never looked back, beating San Diego City College, 19-2, on opening day on Friday afternoon at Doug Fritz Field.

Josh Fuentes (pictured right) led the Saddleback attack with a 3-for-3 performance on opening day, driving in four runs and recording the first RBI of the season when he singled home Jeff Butler for a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.  Fuentes would once again single with men in scoring position in the third inning and triple in the fourth to score another as the Gauchos took a 10-0 lead after five innings. 

Evan Manarino (pictured below left) started on the hill for Saddleback and worked 5.2 innings before giving away to the bullpen.  Manarino was masterful through five innings, surrendering just two hits with one walk as Saddleback built up a big lead.  He then got into some trouble in the sixth inning with a couple of wild pitches and a walk, surrendering two runs before being replaced by Trey Ferketic.  The trio of Ferketic, Evan Cook and Chase Jones were spectacular out of the pen, giving up just one hit over the final 3.1 innings of work. 

Saddleback had a chance to get 27 players into the game on day one of the season, battering the Knights for 18 hits while capitalizing on three San Diego City errors.  The Gauchos scored in all but two innings on the day as Knight pitchers hit seven batters and walked five more.

For Saddleback, it was the most runs scored since scoring 24 in a 25-24 loss to Fullerton in 2010.  The Gauchos and Knights will play again tomorrow at San Diego City.  First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm.