Cats wrestle one away from Rustlers

The Saddleback softball team picked up a much-needed win with a 3-2 victory over Golden West College on Thursday at Bobcats Field.  The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Bobcats.

Saddleback and Golden West battled to the end, but it was the Bobcats that made a couple of more plays in picking up a big victory. 

Saddleback and Golden West were tied at 1-1 heading into the bottom half of the fifth inning when the Bobcats broke through.  Macy Smith hit her team-leading sixth home of the season with one out in the inning to give Saddleback a 2-1 lead.  Three batters later, Sabrina Truesdell (pictured) singled home McKenzie Lombard for a 3-1 advantage.

Golden West battled back and got to within 3-2 in the top half of the sixth inning and had the bases loaded with two outs.  Smith then struck out Sara Aguilar to keep the lead intact.  The inning featured a defensive gem by Truesdell (below), who laid out to catch a sharp fly ball to right field for the first out of the inning.  It was one of four big plays in the field for Truesdell on the afternoon.

Smith pitched a complete game in improving to 11-5 on the season.  She struck out three Rustlers on the day while walking none.

Saddleback is now 19-10 overall and 3-7 in Orange Empire Conference play.  The Bobcats and Golden West will play game three on Friday at Golden West.  The first pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM in Huntington Beach.