Strong pitching secures the win for the Gauchos
Domnique Key dominating the mound as the El Camino dugout watches.
The Saddleback College baseball team defeated visiting El Camino Compton Center Tarters 6-1, on Saturday at Doug Fritz Field in Mission Viejo, to improve their non-conference record to 10-2 this season.
Freshman pitcher Domnique Key commanded the mound, pitching seven complete innings and allowing zero earned runs. Key struck out 4 ECC batters and allowed 0 walks en route to his second win of the season. Freshman John Sheaks was called from the bullpen to relieve Key in the eighth inning and Sophomore Trevor Charpie got the save in the ninth.
Dominant pitching contributed largely to this gaucho victory, which extends the teams winning streak to 4 games.
“I felt like it was a great game for us,” said Key. “Everyone contributed to the win whether they were on the field or in the dugout.”
The Gauchos offensive play was similarly strong, but not in the strikeout department. Saddleback compiled 10 hits on the day, but fanned 11 times to 3 Tartar pitchers.
The Gauchos were able to get runners on base in key situations, and rally when needed.
Freshman third baseman Dallas Dey singled with 2 outs in the third, which was followed by a double to right field by freshman shortstop Colby Schultz. Both runners scored after an RBI single to right by freshman designated hitter Jared Donahoe, which got the Gauchos out to an early 2-0 lead. The Gauchos scoring would continue in the 5th when Cole Stanton doubled to start the bottom half of the inning. After a wild pitch, a few singles and a sacrifice fly, the Gauchos were able to end the inning scoring 3 runs off of 3 hits. Saddleback’s final run was scored in the 8th thanks to another two-out rally, this time started by Stanton, who singled to left field and drove in Sophomore Casey Worden.
Saddleback hosts two conference opponents this week beginning Thursday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. against Santa Ana College, and Cyprus College on Saturday, Feb. 28 at noon.
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