Gauchos go to extra frames for win

The Saddleback softball team defeated Orange Coast College, 6-2, on Monday in extra innings.  The Gauchos struck for four runs in the top half of the ninth inning in evening their record in Orange Empire Conference play.

Saddleback and Orange Coast had four scoreless innings before heading into the ninth inning on Monday.  The Gauchos finally broke through with five hits in the ninth to put the game out of reach.

Naomi Varela led off the ninth with a double to left field before advancing to third base after a fly ball from Paige Welk.  The next batter was Victoria Verruto, who grounded out to second base but managed to get home Varela with what would eventually be the winning run.  Saddleback then followed with four straight hits in putting the game out of reach.  Emma Estep doubled to left field to score Anne Thibert before Annalie Benjamen singled home both Vanessa Alvarran and Estep to give the Gauchos a 6-2 lead.

Benjamen (3-1) started on the mound and pitched a complete game to pick up her third win of the season.  She struck out five Pirates over the course of nine innings while spreading around nine hits.

Saddleback outhit Orange Coast 13-9 for the day, with both Alvarran and Benjamen finishing 3-for-5 at the plate.

Saddleback is now 10-4 overall and 2-2 in Orange Empire Conference play following the win.  The Gauchos will host Santa Ana College on Wednesday at 2:00 PM.