Gauchos outlast Hornets in a slugfest

The Saddleback softball team won its 20^th game of the season with a 13-9 win over Fullerton on Friday night at the Corral.  The Gauchos battled back from an 8-5 deficit to improve to 9-8 in conference play.

Saddleback has been fighting the injury bug this season and even though they were playing a Fullerton program that is buried in sixth place in the Orange Empire Conference, needed a heroic performance on offense to get the win.  The Gauchos trailed 8-5 heading into the bottom of the third inning before scoring eight runs of their own over the next three at-bats to silence the Hornets.

Christina Pantages (pictured) and Kelsey Hodge both homered and had three RBI to lead the charge, as Saddleback made the most of their opportunities.  Hodge's home run sparked a three-run third inning to tie the game at 8-8.

Hodge also came on in relief of starting pitcher Sydney Abounassar, who struggled through 2.1 innings of work in giving up eight earned runs.  She pitched the final 4.2 innings of work, spreading around eight hits while surrendering just one earned run in picking up her first win of the season.

Saddleback improved to 20-11 overall and 9-8 in OEC play with the win.  The Gauchos are currently in fifth place, one game behind Santa Ana and two games back of Santiago Canyon.

Saddleback will play again on Monday when they host Grossmont College (22-11) in a non-conference game.  First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.