Vaqueros split with Saddleback in dramatic fashion

SBCC spotted Saddleback a 5-0 lead in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Saturday in Mission Viejo, then erupted for nine runs in the last three innings to pull out a 13-10 victory. The nightcap was tight throughout until the Vaqueros tied it 7-7 on an RBI single by Zach Jensen in the 9th, only to see the Gauchos win it on a two-out, walk-off RBI single by Alex Zerfass.

Saddleback (4-1) took two of three from the Vaqueros (3-2).

Kyle Froemke was 2-5 in the first game for the Vaqueros with four RBIs and four runs. The transfer from Oregon belted a 3-run homer in the fifth to cut the deficit to 5-3. It was his third homer in four games.

SBCC had six extra-base hits in the opener -- three doubles, triples by Alonzo Rubalcaba and Noah Williamson and Froemke's homer down the right-field line.

Leadoff hitter Ryan Guardino went 3-6 in the opener and 3-5 in the second game, raising his average to .438. Rubalcaba, a sophomore catcher from Fairfield, Calif., drove in three runs in the opener and Williamson and Jacob Bravo were both 2-4 with two RBIs. Jarred Greene was 2-4 in the nightcap with two doubles and three runs.

The Vaqueros trailed 7-4 after six innings, then scored four, one and four runs in their last three at-bats. They loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth on singles by Jensen and Guardino sandwiched around a HBP by Hunter Call. Froemke tied it at 10 with an RBI single to left and Bravo put the Vaqueros ahead to stay with a two-RBI single to center.

The second game was tight throught. SBCC pulled within a run (7-6) in the seventh when Greene doubled to right and scored on a groudout by Williamson. The Vaqueros tied it in the ninth when Bravo was hit by a pitch, went to second on a wild pitch and scored the tying run on Jensen's single through the left side.

The Vaqueros will host San Diego City for a three-game series on Friday (3 p.m.), Saturday (1 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.).