Saddleback’s Softball Victory Is 300th for Coach Trani

Saddleback Coach Nick Trani earned his 300th victory as the Gauchos defeated Irvine Valley, 8-0, in an Orange Empire Conference softball game Wednesday at Irvine Valley.

Trani is in his 11th season as a head coach and fifth at Saddleback. He had a career record of 180-92 at OCC and is 120-70-1 for the Gauchos. Trani led Orange Coast to five playoff appearances and has led Saddleback into the playoffs in each of the last four seasons.

Teresa Conboy had three hits and Tara Kroener (15-5) pitched a two-hitter with 10 strikeouts for Saddleback (20-7, 6-2).

In other conference games:

Cypress 15, Riverside 0--Cypress (28-5, 7-1) overwhelmed host Riverside (13-2, 5-2) in the top of the third with three solo home runs. Sasha Campbell led off the inning with her home run. Melissa Beck and Coral King followed with home runs.

King went three for three, doubled, and had three RBIs for the Chargers. Beck has tied Cypress’ record for career home runs with 10. Nicole Fallf went three for four and had two RBIs and Ro Lutz went three for three with a double and three RBIs for Cypress. Mandy Rockwell (15-1) was the winning pitcher.

Fullerton 2, Santa Ana 0--Fullerton’s Michelle Ivy (9-4) gave up only three hits to shut out Santa Ana (8-16-2, 2-5). Angela Veronesi hit a fielder’s choice to shortstop and drove in the first run in the second inning for Fullerton (20-7, 5-3).

In nonconference golf:

Saddleback 371, Citrus 394, Rio Hondo 418--Brian Miller shot one-over-par 73 at Tijeras Creek to lead the Gauchos. Burley Stamps and Lonnie Charleson each shot 74 for Saddleback.