Gauchos shut down Fullerton to remain in third

The Saddleback men's tennis team remained in third place in Orange Empire Conference play with a 9-0 win over Fullerton College on Tuesday at the Saddleback Courts.  The Gauchos never lost a set with a big match looming on Thursday.

Saddleback needed a win to keep pace with Orange Coast College, who leads the Gauchos by a half game in the standings.  The two teams will meet on Thursday, and with four conference matches remaining couldn't afford to fall any further behind the Pirates.

Riku Goto, Connor Mengert, Vance La, Michael Park, Kian Saidi and Kris Harris all won comfortably in singles, closing out the team match before the two teams broke to play doubles.  The most impressive win was from Saidi at No. 5 doubles, who never lost a game in winning 6-0, 6-0.  Saidi then teamed with Zuriel Aaron for an 8-1 win at No. 3 doubles.

Saddleback and Orange Coast will play at Saddleback at 2:00 PM on Thursday.

Singles:

1. Riku Goto (SC) def. D. Yang (FC) 6-3, 6-4
2. Connor Mengert (SC) def. S. McCormack (FC) 7-5, 6-0
3. Vance La (SC) def. M. Munoz (FC) 6-0, 6-1
4. Michael Park (SC) def. R.Rich (FC) 6-2, 6-2
5. Kian Saidi (SC) def. D. Moreno (FC) 6-0, 6-0
6. Kris Harris (SC) def. S. Crellin (FC) 6-2, 6-2

Doubles:

1. Goto & Park (SC) def. McCormack & Munoz (FC) 8-1
2. Mengert & La (SC) def. Rich & Yang (FC) 8-3
3. Saidi & Zuriel Aaron (SC) def. Crellin & M. Verdone (FC) 8-1