COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Errors Help Saddleback Upset First-Place OCC in Softball

Saddleback scored two unearned runs in the first inning and went on to upset first-place Orange Coast, 2-1, in an Orange Empire Conference softball game Tuesday at OCC.

It was the first home loss for OCC (27-12-2, 14-4), which has a one game lead over Cypress with three left. The teams meet May 2 at Cypress in the final regular-season game.

Saddleback’s Amy Bloom started the game with an infield hit. Deanna Pallo then reached on a throwing error as Bloom went to third. Pallo stole second. Bloom scored on a passed ball and Pallo scored on a wild pitch.

OCC scored in the fourth on Stefanie Ritchey’s single. The Pirates had two on in the seventh but failed to score.

Laura Kesterson (17-14) pitched a six-hitter for the victory for Saddleback (20-17, 8-10). Kristin Varagne (8-5) allowed two hits but took the loss for OCC.

In other conference games:

Rancho Santiago 4, Riverside 0--Christina Mazzurie and Judy Enami hit two-run homers for host Rancho Santiago (26-17, 12-6). Jocelyne Patrick (24-12) pitched a two-hitter with two strikeouts.

The Dons scored their four runs in the fifth. After a walk, Brenda Parks reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a Mazzurie’s home run. Christine Culver doubled and Enami followed with a home run.

Cypress 3, Golden West 1--Kerry Moloney had three hits and drove in three runs as Cypress (38-14, 13-5) won its 10th consecutive game. It was the 299th victory for Cypress Coach Brad Pickler. He is 299-119 over eight seasons.

Jenny Lopez gave up five hits and an unearned run to improve to 18-8. Golden West is 10-23, 5-13.