Cats roar in series opener

The Saddleback softball team defeated Cypress College, 1-0, in the opener of a three-game series on Tuesday at Bobcats Field.  Alexa Pfutzenreuter pitched a complete game shutout in the win.

Saddleback entered the game at No. 19 in the statewide 3CFCA Coaches Poll while Cypress was ranked No. 5, so the Bobcats knew it would take a nearly perfect performance to get a win against a program with five state titles since 2010.  Saddleback did just that, turning back the program that entered with the No. 2 Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) in Southern California. 

Saddleback and Cypress were scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when Saddleback broke through to end the deadlock.  Macy Smith led off the inning with a double to right-center field and two batters later Mia Fogle was hit by a pitch to put runners and first and second base with one out in the inning.  Following a line-out from Malia Garcia, Sabrina Truesdell then walked to load the bases with two outs.  Jenna Juarez then popped up a ball between the pitcher and catcher, and the ball glanced off the pitcher's glove and to the ground as Smith crossed home plate with an unearned run.

Saddleback made it stick, as Pfutzenreuter was tough as nails on the mound.  She pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just one hit while striking out five Chargers in the process.  Pfutzenreuter (pictured) completed the game with a strikeout of Aliyah Hill, which prompted a collective roar from the Saddleback faithful.

Truesdell and Ka'ui Garcia led the Bobcats on offense with two hits apiece.  Truesdell reached base three times, finishing 2-for-2 with a walk as Saddleback outhit Cypress 6-1 for the game.

Saddleback is now 16-5 overall and 2-2 in Orange Empire Conference play following the game.  The Bobcats and Chargers are scheduled to play game two of the series on Wednesday at Cypress (2:00 PM), weather permitting.