Gauchos end slide against Rustlers

Gauchos end slide against Rustlers

The Saddleback softball team recorded a 7-1 win at Golden West College on Wednesday in Huntington Beach.   The Gauchos had a perfect combination of hitting and pitching in the win.

Saddleback was riding an 8-game losing streak and picked a cold day in March to get hot.  The Gauchos battered Rustler pitching for 12 hits while Carlee Russo pitched a complete game on the mound.

Saddleback struck for two runs in the opening inning and never trailed in the game.  Haliegh Wilkerson tripled home Rylee Argue with the first run of the game and later scored on a fielder's choice for a 2-0 lead. 

Saddleback led 3-1 heading into the top of the fourth inning when they added three more runs.  Wilkerson singled home Argue for a 4-1 lead and later scored on a double from McKenna Walton as the lead grew to 5-1.  Walton would later score on a single from Haley Rose as the lead swelled to 6-1. 

Saddleback's lead was plenty as Russo (1-0) was solid on the bump.  She pitched a complete game, six-hitter, striking out four Rustlers while allowing only one walk. 

Rose finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI while Wlkerson was 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs-scored.

Saddleback will try to make it two in a row when they head to Santiago Canyon College on Friday.  The first pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM in Orange.