Gauchos swat back at Hornets in softball

The Saddleback softball team won for the fourth time in the last five games on Wednesday with a narrow 8-7 victory over Fullerton College at The Corral.  The Gauchos remained in a tie for fourth place in conference play with the win.

Saddleback took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, with the big blow being a two-run home rune to center field by Christina Pantages (pictured).  The Gauchos extended the lead to 4-0 in the second inning before Fullerton battled back to take a 6-4 lead with five runs in the top of the fourth inning.

Saddleback quickly responded with four runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning.  Tori Duquette singled home Sarah DiTommaso and Kelsey Hodge and right after that McRae Cayton singled home Duquette and Bailey Benoit, giving the Gauchos a lead they would never relinquish.  Duquette and Cayton both finished with two hits on the afternoon.

Tiffany McCracken went the distance on the mound in improving to 8-3 on the season.  McCracken surrendered 10 hits and three walks in seven innings of work.

Saddleback improved to 12-8 overall and 5-5 in Orange Empire Conference play with the win.  The Gauchos remained in a tie for fourth place in conference play with Santa Ana, who was an 11-3 winner over Orange Coast on Wednesday.  The Gauchos will play at Orange Coast (2-19, 0-10) on Thursday at 3:00 PM.