Saddleback Holds Off Orange Coast in Baseball

Saddleback had a seven-run lead through five innings and hung on to beat Orange Coast, 11-9, in an Orange Empire Conference baseball game Thursday at Saddleback.

The loss ended Orange Coast’s six-game winning streak that included a 7-6 victory over Saddleback Wednesday.

Jimmy Luster’s three-run homer in the fifth gave Saddleback a 7-0 lead. Luster was three four four with five RBIs and Greg Pines was three for five for Saddleback (23-10, 8-6).

Chris Laws hit his second home run in two days for Orange Coast (18-14, 5-7).

In another conference game:

Cypress 9, Golden West 0--Ron Corona (6-3) gave up five hits and struck out seven in 7 2/3 innings for visiting Cypress (22-7-1, 9-2). Steve Hindman and Brandon Pack each had two hits and drove in two runs for Cypress, which hosts Golden West at 1 p.m. today.

In Orange Empire Conference softball:

Cypress 4, Fullerton 1--Melissa Beck hit a three-run double in Cypress’ four-run fourth inning to help the Chargers (40-5, 9-1) earn their 14th straight victory. Sophomore Mandy Rockwell (20-1), who signed a letter of intent Wednesday with the University of Louisville, struck out four and walked one in a complete game for host Cypress. Veronica Jimenez and Natasha Sisco each had two hits for Fullerton (25-9, 6-4).

In Orange Empire Conference men’s tennis:

Golden West 7, Cypress 2--Jason Kasner swept 6-1, 6-3, then teamed with Tony Pascoe for an 8-6 victory in doubles as Golden West (16-3, 10-2) finished second in conference behind Saddleback, which beat the Rustlers twice this season. Cypress is 6-9, 2-9.