Gauchos grind out win against Chaffey

The Saddleback baseball team bounced back from its first loss of the year with a 4-1 win over Chaffey College on Friday afternoon at Doug Fritz Field.   Josh Fuentes continued his torrid pace at the plate while the pitching and defense got the Gauchos back on the winning track.

Everyone wondered how Saddleback would bounce back from its first loss of the year, and the team responded with a gritty win over a Chaffey team that entered the contest at 4-2.  Saddleback trailed 1-0 through four innings of play before striking for four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. 

Fuentes (pictured) once again provided the big blow, doubling to right-center field to put Saddleback ahead 2-1 after four straight innings of lazy fly balls and slow rollers.  He would later score on a single to left field by Noah Graham as the Gaucho offense added some insurance runs.

Evan Manarino improved to 3-0 on the season, going seven strong innings before giving way to Anthony Shew.  Manarino surrendered eight hits, but received solid play behind him on defense as the Gauchos turned a couple of double plays in the field.  Shew was unhittable in relief, striking out the final two batters of the game to secure the win.

Saddleback managed just five hits on the day, but took advantage of some wildness on the mound for Chaffey.  Panther pitchers walked seven batters on the day, as starter Daniel Pena was chased from the game in the fifth inning despite allowing just one Gaucho hit.

Saddleback improved to 7-1 on the season with the win.  The Gauchos will play again on Tuesday when they host San Diego Mesa College.  First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM.