Cats break out the bats in opener

The Saddleback baseball team defeated Fullerton College, 17-10, in the opening game of a three-game series on Tuesday in Fullerton.  The 17 runs by the Bobcats was the highest run total of the season.

Saddleback and Fullerton entered the day tied for fourth place in the Orange Empire Conference with nine games remaining in the regular season.  The Bobcats moved into sole possession of fourth place after putting up a season-high 17 runs in taking a lead in a series for the fourth straight time in conference play. 

Saddleback jumped out to a quick lead, scoring once in the first inning and four more times in the second inning to lead 5-0.  Matthew Henning played a big part in both innings, opening up the game with a single and later coming around to score the opening run of the game before doubling home Carter Enoch with the second run of the game in the second inning.  His double was the second of four straight hits for the Bobcats, who scored all four runs with two outs in the inning.

Saddleback led 5-3 heading to the fifth inning when they again exploded for four runs to open up a big lead.  The Bobcats took advantage of a pair of defensive miscues from the Hornets to load the bases.  Later in the inning, Cole Strane and Dmitri Susidko had back-to-back doubles in taking a 9-3 advantage.

Saddleback returned the favor in the bottom half of the fifth inning when they committed three errors in the field in surrendering five runs.  The Hornets pieced together three straight hits in the middle of the inning in climbing back to within 9-8.

Saddleback led 11-9 heading into the ninth inning when they put the game out of reach for good.  The Bobcats sent 10 batters to the plate, scoring six runs in taking a 17-9 lead.  Saddleback took advantage of another error by the Fullerton defense and a wild pitch before David Vergel de Dios ran into a ball and planted it over the left field wall for a two-run homer.  He was the second of six straight Bobcats to reach base as Enoch followed with a single, Strane walked, Susidko doubled and Henning singled to put the game out of reach.

Saddleback used three pitchers in the game as Jace Barajas started and came up one out shy of earning the win after being pulled in the bottom half of the fifth inning.  Miles Chandler was the first out of the bullpen and pitched through the eighth inning in improving to 3-1 on the season.  Jack Gallison pitched the ninth inning in mop-up duty.  In total, Saddleback pitchers struck out six Hornets on the afternoon.

Henning, Enoch and Wesley Hickey all reached base four times to lead the offense while Susidko finished 3-for-6 with four RBI.  In total, the Bobcats had 16 hits, nine walks and three hit batsmen in the game. 

Saddleback is now 17-15 overall and 7-6 in Orange Empire Conference play following the win.  The Bobcats have a one game lead on both Fullerton and Orange Coast for fourth place in conference play through Tuesday.

Saddleback and Fullerton will resume the series on Thursday at Saddleback.  The Bobcats and Hornets are scheduled to start at 2:00 PM in Mission Viejo.