Gauchos hammer way outta Compton

The Saddleback baseball team ended a brief two-game losing streak with a dominating 15-2 win over Compton College.  The Gauchos hammered out 15 hits in improving to 10-2.

Saddleback was cruising along at 9-0 when they dropped two straight games last week.  The Gauchos bounced back with a comfortable win, scoring 13 runs over a four inning stretch.

Saddleback scored two runs in the first inning to take the lead.  Kyle Candalla and Adam Gordon led off the game with back-to-back singles to set the table.  Jared Donahoe delivered with a double to center field to drive in the first run of the game before Brandon Heinrich grounded out, bringing home Gordon with the second run.

Compton tied the game in the third inning when Saddleback made a pair of errors, allowing leadoff hitter Mario Jimenez to reach third base to start the inning.  Aaron Kirchner followed with a two-run homer off starter Daniel Endsley and the game was tied at 2-2.

The game remained tied until the fifth inning when the Gauchos exploded for five runs.  Candalla reached on an error to start the inning and quickly stole second base.  After Gordon grounded out, Candalla then stole third for his seventh stole base of the season.  Luke Jarvis then doubled home Candalla with what would end up being the winning run of the game.  Jarvis then stole third before three straight hits put the game out of reach.  Donahoe singled to drive in Jarvis before Heinrich doubled and Justin McSorley singled to drive in two and push the score to 6-2.  The Gauchos would add another late run when Erik Voller flew out to center field, bringing home McSorley.

Saddleback wasn't through, scoring five more times in the sixth inning.  McSorley was again in the mix, doubling home Hein, Jarvis and Gordon to clear the bases and give Saddleback a 10-2 lead.  It was the biggest game of the year for McSorley (pictured), who reached base three times and drove in five runs for the day.

Saddleback's pitching staff was unhittable after the Compton home run in the third inning.  The combination of John Sheaks, Stephen Young, Logan Escudero and Brandon Helmick pitched five scoreless innings, allowing no hits and one walk as no Compton runner advanced past second base.

Saddleback has most of the week off before opening Orange Empire Conference play on Saturday at home against Riverside City College.  The first pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 12:00 PM.