COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Golden West Edges Rancho Santiago

After Kyle Evans had doubled to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning, Golden West reliever Nathan Bley shut down Rancho Santiago (14-6, 2-4) to give the Rustlers a 1-0 victory in an Orange Empire Conference baseball game Thursday at Rancho Santiago. Evans reached third on a wild pitch before Bley settled down to record his first save.

The game’s only run came in the top of the first inning. While the Dons were attempting to pick off Garrett Vitale at first base, Nathan Freeman, who had reached base on a single, broke for third. Vitale was tagged out, but Rancho Santiago’s attempt to catch Freeman sailed past the third baseman and Freeman scored.

Freeman had three hits for Golden West (8-12, 2-3).

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In another conference game:

Saddleback 9, Orange Coast 7--Jon Lauderdale went two for five with a two-run homer in the third inning and Lorne Rosas and Brian Balo each had three hits for Saddleback (9-8, 2-3), which scored three runs in the ninth inning for the comeback victory. Brian Salterelli went two for five with one RBI for Orange Coast (10-11, 2-3).

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In nonconference baseball:

Fullerton 10, Mt. San Antonio 5--Ambro Salas went three for four with one run scored and two runs batted in and Chad Smith went three for four with one run and three RBIs for host Fullerton (17-4). Hornet pitcher Jerry Martinez (2-0) pitched seven innings of relief, giving up four hits and one run.

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In Orange Empire Conference men’s tennis:

Golden West 5, Irvine Valley 4--Mike Edwards defeated Leon Jakimic 6-3, 6-2, in singles for Golden West (7-1, 4-1). Edwards teamed with Jeff Thomsen to win the Rustlers’ only doubles match, beating Yutaka Nakamura and Jason Pascua, 6-2, 6-1.

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In Orange Empire Conference women’s tennis:

Orange Coast 6, Fullerton 3--Christine Michaels defeated Michelle Caravajal, 6-1, 6-2, and Heather Eves defeated Julianna Smet, 6-3, 6-0, for OCC.