Gauchos fall to Lasers bats
It was a high scoring affair for both teams Saturday afternoon as Saddleback (11-11) fell at Irvine Valley College’s field, 11-10.
After a scoreless first inning, there was no inclination this would be a collective 21 run game. In the second Inning, Saddleback’s bats gave the pitching some wiggle room by putting up five runs.
It didn’t take long for IVC (14-7) to strike back. It put up three of its own runs in the third. Saddleback came back with another four runs in the forth to increase its lead, 9-3.
Coach Jack Hodges brought in Jason Sirak to relieve Starter Josh Brayley of his duties on the mound. Sirak only lasted .1 of an inning, allowing three runs on three hits, and two walks.
Saddleback gave up 11 runs on just 11 hits, along with two errors.
By the time the fourth inning was concluded, the Lasers scored six more runs to tie the game.
Zac Johnston came in to pitch for Sirak, striking out the first two batters he faced to put an end to the inning.
The bats were silenced the next two innings to carry the 9-9 tie into the seventh.
Chad Richardson broke the tie for the Gauchos in the seventh inning by hitting a solo shot to center field in his only hit of five at bats.
In the next half inning, IVC responded with a solo shot of its own. Mike Franco singled in an insurance run as an encore to Vince Hungerford’s home run.
The Gauchos threatened with two runners in scoring position in the ninth inning, however it really was only just that- a threat.IVC Closer Dean Persinger got his eighth save of the season. Gaucho third baseman Tom Koenig hit into a game ending double play to hand Saddleback its 11th loss of the season.
The Gauchos face Golden West College Thursday at 2 p.m.