MISSION VIEJO – The SBCC softball team came up just one run short in both games of its Saturday doubleheader at Saddleback, falling by final scores of 2-1 and 4-3.
Saddleback 2, SBCC 1
Led by the pitching of Joslyn Soinila, the Vaqueros (12-8) gave up just one hit in the entire first game, outhitting Saddleback (11-8) 7-1. However, a pair of unearned third inning runs were all the Bobcats needed.
SBCC got a big double from shortstop Delaney Neely in the top of the sixth to put runners on second and third, but the Vaqueros were held scoreless until the following inning.
In the seventh, a double by Alexia Ayala, a walk for Emma Hatcher and a single by Mackenzie Ensign put SBCC in good shape by loading the bases. Elliana Ryan stepped up for a clutch single to center field and Ayala got the Vaqueros on the board, but they weren't able to find the tying run from there.
Saddleback 4, SBCC 3
In game two, SBCC jumped out to the lead with runs in three consecutive innings.
Ryan led off the fourth with a double and opened the scoring on a groundout RBI by Hatcher. In the next inning, Reveles doubled down the left field line, stole third and made it home on a Bobcat error to double SBCC's advantage.
In the sixth, Ryan singled for one of her team-high two hits. Soinila pinch ran for her and eventually scored on a single up the middle by Julianna Ortiz, putting SBCC ahead 3-0.
However, Saddleback would answer in the sixth with its first multi-hit inning of the day to score three runs. After holding the Vaqueros without a hit in the top of the seventh, the Bobcats scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly.
NEXT UP
Up next for the Vaqueros is a meeting with Ventura this Thursday, March 23 at 2:30 p.m. in a postponed contest that was originally scheduled for February 28.