College of the Desert and Saddleback split twinbill as CCCAA softball season heats up

College of the Desert softball pitcher Nicole Rodriguez pitched a complete game to beat Saddleback on Saturday afternoon, 4-2. (Photo by Michael Leone Photography)
College of the Desert softball pitcher Nicole Rodriguez pitched a complete game to beat Saddleback on Saturday afternoon, 4-2. (Photo by Michael Leone Photography)
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February 29, 2020

CCCAA Softball: Scoreboard l Standings

PALM DESERT - College of the Desert (16-6) split a softball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, falling short in the first game 4-3 and then winning the back half of the series, 4-2 over the Saddleback Gauchos of Mission Viejo (11-6).

In game one, both pitchers were dealing as neither team gained any offensive traction until the third inning. The Gauchos would score three runs in the top of the third and Desert would respond with a run in the bottom of the frame, helped by a two out, triple to center, by freshman shortstop and leadoff hitter Davia Hines (Palm Springs H.S.), giving Saddleback a 3-1 advantage.

The Gauchos would add an insurance run in the top of the sixth, but Desert would not relent as the Roadrunners made the game very interesting in the bottom of the seventh. The Gauchos made a pitching change to start the inning and Desert pounced. Freshman left fielder Annabelle Amador (Indio Shadow Hills) hit a one-out single to right and freshman center fielder Elizabeth Olivas (Thermal Coachella Valley) bunted herself aboard to have two on with one out. Then Hines clobbered a bases-clearing double to get the Roadrunners to within one, 4-3, at which time, the Saddleback head coach had seen enough and brought back in the starting pitcher to face the heart of the order. A Desert strikeout, walk and ground out ended game one.

Hines would go 2 for 4 with a run scored and two runs batted in for game one and sophomore right-handed starting pitcher Lauren Robinson (La Quinta H.S.) would toss a complete game, surrendering four runs, three earned, on five hits, walking two and striking out two.

Game two had the Gauchos get on the board first in the top of the first and Desert get after the starter in the bottom half of the inning. The same starter which started game one, was sent to the circle in game two and the Roadrunners shoved her around to start the game, as Hines crushed an inside the park home run, and freshman left fielder Alejandra Ramirez (Rancho Mirage H.S.) punched a triple to right field. Robinson would ground out to second base, scoring Ramirez and after sophomore catcher Natalie Avila (Rancho Mirage H.S.) singled to left field, the Saddleback coach pulled the starter, but the damage had been done.

The Gauchos would add a run in the top of the third and before freshman right-handed starting pitcher Nicole Rodriguez (Indio Shadow Hills) would shut down the Saddleback lineup for the rest of the game.

In the bottom of the fourth, Ramirez would hit a bases-clearing double to right, making the score 4-2.

Ramirez would go 2 for 3 with a run scored and two RBI's and Avila would go 2 for 3 on the day. Rodriguez would toss a complete game, for her sixth win in seven starts, surrendering two runs, one earned, on seven hits and walking five.

(Courtesy College of the Desert Athletics)