Gauchos sweep double-dip

The Saddleback softball team ran its winning streak to seven games with a pair of wins at the Mt. San Jacinto College Tournament on Saturday in San Jacinto.  The Gauchos defeated Allan Hancock College, 10-0, before defeating East Los Angeles College, 11-0.

Saddleback has now won the past three games by a combined 33-0.  The Gauchos were completely dominant on Saturday, outhitting their two opponents 27-7.

Saddleback opened up game one by taking control early.  Anne Thibert led off the game with a single before Vanessa Alvarran homered for a 2-0 lead.  It was plenty of offense for a defense that seems to be clicking.  The Gauchos started Annalie Benjamen on the mound, and she pitched through the fourth inning before giving way to Alyssa Porras in the fifth inning.  Saddleback had 13 hits in the opener, with both Alvarran and Veronica Belleza hitting home runs.

Belleza started game two and pitched a complete game.  She struck out nine Husky hitters in improving to 6-0 on the season.  The two teams were scoreless heading into the third inning when Saddleback rapped out four hits in taking a 2-0 lead.  Things unraveled in the late stages for East Los Angeles when Saddleback had home runs from Alvarran and Belleza in the sixth inning in blowing the game wide open.

Saddleback (8-2) will take on Antelope Valley College on Sunday at 12:00 PM.