No mercy for the 951

The Saddleback women's softball team defeated Riverside City College, 10-2, on Wednesday at the Saddleback softball diamond.  It was the second win by the mercy rule this season.

Saddleback took out some frustration on Riverside City on Wednesday after losing four of the past five games by one run.  The Bobcats left no doubt, pounding out 14 hits in five innings in a game that lasted just one hour and 23 minutes.

Saddleback opened the game with three runs in the bottom half of the first inning, grinding out four hits in the opening frame while taking advantage of a defensive miscue from the Tigers.  Ivy Vasquez gave the Bobcats a 2-0 lead when she doubled home Isabella Harris.  The next batter was Lily Troiano, who singled home Cristen Areopagita with the third run of the inning.

Saddleback went back to work in the bottom half of the second inning, scoring two more times for a 5-0 lead.  The Bobcats took advantage of two walks and a wild pitch from the Tigers in opening up a big lead. 

Saddleback led 6-2 heading into the bottom half of the fourth inning when they exploded for four more runs.  The Bobcats had four hits and a pair of walks in the inning, with Sarah Araujo finishing off the scoring with a single to score Desiree McGruder for a 10-2 advantage.

McGruder started on the mound and was effective in improving to 12-15 on the season.  She gave up just five hits and got the Tigers to hit into an inning-ending double play in the top half of the fifth inning to end the game by the 8-run mercy rule.

Saddleback is now 14-18 overall and 4-13 in Orange Empire Conference play.  The Bobcats will play again at Santiago Canyon College on Friday at 2:00 PM.