Cats win another tight one

The Saddleback softball team defeated Santa Ana College, 2-1, on Thursday in Santa Ana.  The Bobcats are surging in the standings after winning four straight.

Saddleback dug themselves a hole after a rugged start to conference play.  The Bobcats are suddenly back on track and moved to within a game of fourth place and two games from third with four games remaining in Orange Empire Conference play.

Saddleback pulled off a second straight struggle with Santa Ana on Thursday.  The Bobcats trailed 1-0 after the opening inning before finding their footing and clinging to a narrow win.

Saddleback tied the game in the top half of the second inning when Cristen Areopagita singled home McKenzie Lombard to tie the game at 1-1.  The Bobcats and Dons went all the way to the seventh inning before Saddleback finally took the lead.  Again it was Areopagita (pictured) who drove in the eventual game-winning run with a double to score Alexa Pfutzenreuter, who had previously doubled with two outs in the inning. 

Pfutzenreuter started on the mound and pitched a complete game to improve to 10-6 on the season.  She spread around five hits while striking out two in seven innings of work.

Saddleback is now 22-11 overall and 6-8 in Orange Empire Conference play following the win.  The Bobcats and Dons will complete the series on Friday at Saddleback.  The first pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM at Bobcats Field.