Gauchos dominate for eighth OEC victory
WILD THING
Saddleback handed Golden West College a hard loss Thursday, shutting out the visiting Rustlers, 15-0.
The game was scoreless until Erik Mura drove in the first runs. With two outs and two strikes, Mura hit a two RBI single that opened up the scoring for the Gauchos.
In the same inning, all of Saddleback’s offense was part of the action. The team scored nine more runs in the fifth. With two outs still on the board, it was walk after hit, and finally the inning was capped off by a Max Kirk three-run home run.
Starting pitcher Robbie Ross pitched a gem for Saddleback (22-18, 8-10). He went eight shutout innings, gave up six hits, struck out five and didn’t issue a single walk the whole game.The Gauchos finished with 17 hits. Mike Cole led the team with four hits and two RBIs.
History was also made Thursday, as Brandon Loftus became the all-time school leader and record holder for hit-by-pitches when he collected his 26th of the season.
The mercy rule didn’t seem to be played in this one, even though the Rustlers didn’t even put up a single run to contest the Gaucho’s 15.
The Gauchos will conclude OEC play Wednesday when they host Fullerton at 2:30 p.m.