Quick start propels Cats

The Saddleback baseball team defeated Irvine Valley College, 5-2, on Thursday in Irvine.  The Bobcats are now seven games above .500 for the first time this season.

Saddleback was quick out of the gate, scoring three runs in the opening inning.  The Bobcats capitalized on wildness from the IVC pitching staff, taking three walks with a hit batsman in the inning.  In between they had a couple of hits, including a two-run single from Joey Doskocil to grab a 3-0 lead.

Saddleback tacked on two more runs in the top of the second inning, again taking advantage of pitching and defensive issues for the Lasers.  The Bobcats had three more walks and were aided by an error in the field from IVC in taking a 5-0 lead.

The lead was plenty for the pitching staff, who spread around 10 hits on the day but gave up zero walks for the game.  Landon Gordon started and went seven innings in picking up the win in improving to 4-2.  Jayden Graves then came on to pitch two scoreless innings in picking up his second save of the season.

Jack Borges and Carter Enoch both reached base three times as both were 1-for -3 with two walks.  Wesley Hickey led the Bobcats with two hits, finishing  2-for-5.

Saddleback is now 23-16 overall and 13-7 in Orange Empire Conference play with one game remaining in the regular season. 

Saddleback and Irvine Valley will conclude the three-game series on Friday at Saddleback.  The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.