Cats beat OCC to move above .500

The Saddleback softball team picked up a big win with a 5-3 victory over Orange Coast College on Friday at the softball diamond.  The Bobcats will play a double-header on Saturday.

Saddleback was looking for revenge after falling to Orange Coast earlier in the season.  The Bobcats were able to celebrate on St. Patrick's Day, beating the Pirates to move above .500 at 9-8 on the season.

Saddleback took a 2-0 lead in the bottom half of the first inning when they smashed out three hits to go along with two walks from the OCC pitching staff.  Isabella Harris opened the scoring with a single to drive home Alyssa Jimenez for a 1-0 lead.  Later in the inning Cristen Areopagita singled home Kianna Gutierrez and the Bobcats were off and running. 

Saddleback took a 5-1 lead in the bottom half of the fifth inning when they scored three more runs.  The Bobcats had five hits in the inning as Mia Calderon had an RBI double and both Ivy Vasquez and Harris had RBI singles. 

Jimenez (pictured) was the offense star for Saddleback, finishing 3-for-4 with two runs-scored.  Harris and Areopagita also finished with two hits apiece.

Desiree McGruder pitched a complete game to improve to 9-8 on the season.  McGruder gave up seven hits while striking out two in the game.

Saddleback is now 9-8 on the season and 2-4 in Orange Empire Conference play.  The Bobcats are in a tie with Golden West College for fifth place in conference play following the win.

Saddleback will play twice on Saturday when they welcome Santa Barbara City College to town for a double-dip.  The opening game is scheduled for 12:00 PM.