Cats kick off rust with a win

The Saddleback softball team defeated Mt. San Jacinto College, 6-3, on Monday afternoon in Menifee.   The Bobcats are now 11 games over .500 for the second time this season.

Saddleback hadn't played a game in 10 days due to spring break, so the Bobcat faithful were wondering how long it would take to kick off the rust and get back into a groove.  The short answer is "not long" as the Bobcats immediately took the lead and never let go of it.

Saddleback took advantage of a number of defensive miscues from the Eagles as Mt. San Jacinto committed six errors in the field.  The Bobcats jumped on top in the opening inning when Mia Fogle walked and later came around to score on an error from the catcher.

Saddleback made it 3-0 in the top half of the third inning, again capitalizing on some errant pitching and defensive lapses.  Jenna Juarez was hit by a pitch to start the inning and then came all the way around to score on an error from the shortstop on a ball hit by Cristen Areopagita.  The Bobcats would make the error hurt twice as McKenzie Lombard singled home Areopagita for a three-run advantage.

Saddleback made it 4-1 in the top half of the fourth inning when Malia Garcia walked and Tasneem Kerdiya singled to start the inning.  An error on the pitcher then loaded the bases before Garcia was credited with stealing home base for the fourth run of the game.

Saddleback held a 4-3 lead heading into the sixth inning when they tacked on two insurance runs.  Areopagita walked and Fogle singled to give the Bobcats two runners on base with one out.  Saddleback again capitalized on an error from the third baseman, allowing Fogle to score the fifth run of the game.  Ka'ui Garcia made the error more painful with a single to center field to score Lombard for a 6-3 lead.

Alexa Pfutzenreuter pitched a complete game in picking up the win and improving to 7-2 on the season.  Pfutzenreuter spread around three hits while striking out three and walking two.

Saddleback is now 17-6 overall following the win.  The Bobcats will look to win a second straight game on Wednesday when they host Compton College at 2:00 PM.