Saddleback Surges Past Irvine Valley for 9-6 Win

Saddleback’s Scott Cheo and Eric Perugini scored fifth-inning runs to break a 5-5 tie and Jon Stephens hit a two-run home run in the sixth to lift the Gauchos to a 9-6 victory over Irvine Valley in an Orange Empire Conference baseball game Thursday at Saddleback.

Cheo scored on a wild pitch to put the Gauchos (12-2, 1-0) ahead, 6-5, and Perugini scored on a groundout by Vinny Valiente for a 7-5 lead.

Bobby Pearce hit two solo home runs for Irvine Valley, which was playing its first conference game in school history.

In other Orange Empire Conference games:

Cypress 6, Santa Ana 1--Jeff Ruziecki hit a three-run home run in the first inning and led off the third with a solo shot for host Cypress (11-3, 1-0).

Tony Alcantar went four for four and drove in the only run for Santa Ana (10-3, 0-1).

Fullerton 4, Orange Coast 3--Fullerton scored three runs with two out in the eighth and held on for the victory at home. Ryan McLean’s double tied the score, 3-3, and Mike Montanio followed with a run-scoring single.

Riverside 6, Golden West 3--Chris Hernandez (5-0) gave up six hits in going the distance for Riverside.

Brett Becker hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to draw Golden West (7-7, 0-1) within one, 4-3.

In Orange Empire Conference softball:

Santa Ana 7, Irvine Valley 0--Pitcher Marie Caballero came within one out of pitching a no-hitter and also had three hits for host Santa Ana (8-2, 2-0).

Vanessa Rodley of Irvine Valley (6-6, 0-1) broke up Caballero’s bid with a single to center.