Manarino pitches Gauchos past Pirates

Saddleback ace Evan Manarino pitched a complete game shutout on Thursday as the Gauchos downed Orange Coast 3-0 in an important Orange Empire Conference matchup.  Saddleback is tied for third place with three games remaining on the OEC schedule.

Manarino was once again brilliant, spreading around six hits while striking out four in improving to 8-1 on the season.  It was his third complete game of the season and he lowered his ERA to 1.61 for the season.  Manarino retired 16 straight Pirates at one point, allowing only one runner to reach third base.

The Gauchos struck for two runs in the first inning when Brandon Cody hit a two-run homer to center field to give Saddleback all the runs they would need.  Cody would later double home Josh Fuentes in the eighth inning for the final run of the game.  He finished 2-for-4 on the day and now leads the team with a .333 batting average and seven home runs.  Cody is now tied for the state lead in home runs.

Saddleback improved to 22-11 overall and 10-8 in Orange Empire Conference play with the win.  The Gauchos are tied with Cypress College for third place, one game back of Riverside and three games back of Fullerton in the conference standings.

Saddleback and Orange Coast will meet again on Saturday at Orange Coast.  Game time is set for 12:00 PM.