Rancho Santiago Finally Pulls Away to Win

Orange Coast stayed close to conference leader Rancho Santiago for seven innings before Ryan Blackmun hit a three-run home run to highlight a five-run eighth for the Dons, who won, 8-3, in an Orange Empire Conference game Tuesday at Orange Coast.

Rancho Santiago (29-2-1, 12-1 in conference) opened a 3-0 lead on Josh Reding’s RBI double in the second inning. Starting pitcher Jeff Bowman gave up no runs through seven innings.

Orange Coast is 11-18, 3-8.

In another conference game:

Cypress 12, Fullerton 4--Ron Aparicio pitched a six-hitter to improve to 4-0 and Craig Kuzmic and Greg Jacobs each hit three-run home runs for host Cypress. Jason Hoffman had four hits and two runs for the Chargers.

Nick Garcia had three hits and three runs for Fullerton.

In a nonconference game:

East Los Angeles 10, Golden West 5--Cesar Castaneda hit two two-run home runs for visiting East Los Angeles, which scored four runs in the sixth to take an 8-3 lead. Kevin Stuart hit his third home run for the Rustlers (10-20).

In Orange Empire Conference women’s tennis:

Orange Coast 5, Golden West 4--Cami Erickson won in singles, 6-2, 6-1, for Orange Coast (11-3, 7-2).