Saddleback’s offense leaves a glare in Fullerton’s eyes
The Gauchos doubled their lead when freshmen Sean Parvin stole home after a wild pitch from the Hornets. (Shannon Patrick)
The Gauchos showed their offensive prowess defeating Fullerton Community College at home on Tuesday, March 31, with a triumphant score of 12-6. The season is now more than half over for the Saddleback College baseball team.
The Fullerton Hornets scored first with two runs in the top of the second inning. A two-run lead was not enough to keep the Gauchos down as they tied it up in the bottom of the fourth.
First baseman Trevor Whyte started the fourth inning with single, followed by a double to deep right by Joshua Leite. Jeff Montenegro singled to score Whyte, while Leite advanced to third base. Darren Coombs bunted to score Leite, which tied the game at 2-2.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Dalton Spye landed a RBI double play, which brought in Lars Liguori. The Gauchos doubled their lead when freshmen Sean Parvin stole home after a wild pitch from the Hornets.
After a single and a steal by Coombs in the eighth inning, Brett Vertigan reached first base safely allowing Coombs to come home, advancing the score to 5-2.
Tyler Krobetzky, Vertigan, and Liguori loaded the bases for Parvin. Parvin singled, driving in Krobetzky.
After a pitcher change for Fullerton, Whyte sacrificed to score Vertigan. Spye continued the hitting streak by singling to score Liguori and Parvin. Pinch hitter Bobby Brown came to the plate and plowed a two-run homerun. Nick McManus came in to pinch hit and singled.
Coming back around in the order, Krobetzky singled, bringing McManus home for the Gauchos, and a score of 12-6.
Right-handed pitcher Tim Troyer started the ninth inning, allowing two singles and two doubles from Fullerton. Leftie Alex Meza came in as relief, giving up three singles before finishing the inning. Together, both freshman pitchers only gave up four runs.
The Gauchos finished the game with a standing record of 18-13 and 8-6 in Orange Empire Conference play.
“It’s a tough conference and Fullerton is a tough club,” Coach Jack Hodges said. “They will be even tougher to beat at home. They are a battling team.”
Saddleback plays at Fullerton on Thursday, and the team is on the road until their next home game on Tuesday, April 14, against Riverside Community College.