Lady Gauchos beat Fullerton Hornets

Gauchos catcher Kylee Lologo prepares to hit a potential home run for her team (Jonathan Anson)

The Saddleback College Gauchos beat the Fullerton College Hornets on Wednesday by the score of 4-2. The win means the Gauchos are one victory away from getting second place in the standings.

The Gauchos took the lead very early scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning generated by a bunt by sophomore Chantel Biehl. Sophomores Jessica Angulo and Katelyn Gomez came in to score on the play after an error by Fullerton making the score 2-0.

During the third inning sophomore Caelan Smith, in an amazing gamble, stole home to make the score 3-0. Fullerton would remain without any runs until the sixth inning due to strong pitching from freshman Kaylee Cranmer.

Fullerton would go on to score two runs in the the top of the sixth inning thanks in main part to a home run by Shaylynn Chapman making the score 3-2.

Saddleback immediately upstaged the Hornets comeback effort when Biehl hit a home run to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning. The blast made the score 4-2 which would end up being the final score.

Cranmer, who pitched a complete game for the Gauchos, thanked her team for their support.

“I had to focus on out here because we’re looking for that state title. I went for it and my team was behind me and had my back through it all,” Cranmer said. “It feels good to have them all behind me.”

Biehl, who contributed on three of Saddleback’s four runs, talked about her late-game home run.

“I wouldn’t say it was a winning home run. I think it secured our win,” Biehl said. “But it was a pretty good feeling to know that I was backing up my pitcher and getting one extra run so she could throw her game better.”

Saddleback head coach Nick Trani, though happy his team won and Cranmer’s performance, felt it was not one of the team’s better efforts. He cited a number of issues the most notable being that he wished his team had hit better.

“We’re just a little better than that,” Trani stated. “I just don’t think we pushed as hard or played as we usually do. I know it’s a long season, we’ve played a lot of games, but there’s no excuse.”

The next game for the Gauchos will be against the Orange Coast Pirates. That game will be today at Orange Coast College at 3 p.m.

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