5/12/09: Molina headed to UC Riverside
Saddleback fastpitch softball ace pitcher Lauren Molina is headed to the next level as the softball office announced on Monday that Molina has signed a letter of intent with UC Riverside. Molina was a First Team All-Orange Empire Conference selection following the season after leading the conference in strikeouts.
 Molina finished 18-8 on the season, leading the Gauchos to the Southern California regional finals, where they eventually fell to defending state champion Cerritos College this past weekend.
After graduating from Foothill High School, Molina played at Trinity Christian College before playing for Saddleback in 2009. She finished in the top-5 in six different pitching categories in the Orange Empire Conference in 2009, leading the conference in strikeouts (150) and finishing the season with a 2.57 ERA.
Following the season, Molina was named to the 2009 NFCA All America Team as a utility player.
UC Riverside plays in the Big West Conference and finished the 2009 season 18-32.
5/11/09: Fastpitch season ends at Cerritos
The Saddleback fastpitch softball team saw its season come to an end on Sunday with a 12-4 loss at Cerritos College in the regional finals. The Gauchos and Falcons were tied at 3-3 through four innings when the defending state champions struck for nine runs over two innings.
 Saddleback ran into the softball version of the 1927 Yankees over the weekend as Cerritos hit nine home runs in two games, including six in the game on Sunday. All-State catcher Samantha Vaaulu accounted for four home runs over the weekend for Cerritos, including three on Sunday as the Falcons advanced to the state tournament this coming weekend where they will attempt to defend their state championship they won last season.
Saddleback finished the season at 29-14 and defeated College of the Canyons in the opening round of the playoffs. The Gauchos finished in fourth place in the Orange Empire Conference with a 12-9 record in conference play.
Saddleback hung around in both games over the weekend but could not avoid the big inning in the later innings. The Gauchos trailed just 4-2 in the fourth inning of game one and led 3-1 early in game two before Cerritos made their run.
Saddleback had their moments on offense as Lauren Molina (pictured) finished the weekend 3-for-4 with a walk to lead the Gaucho offense. Shannon Wilkison was 2-for-2 in the opening game while Megan Geier was 1-for-2 with two RBI in game one.
Cerritos now stands at 39-9-1 on the season and will play this coming weekend in the state tournament in Salinas, California.
5/9/09: Softball falls to hard-hitting Falcons
 Saddleback's entrance into the second round of the 2009 post-season was met with a rude awakening when the Gauchos fell to the host Cerritos Falcons 10-2 in a game which was halted with one out in the fifth inning.
It was originally thought by some that Cerritos' state-record 51 team home runs could have been a typo as the number shattered the old record. Saddleback found out the hard way that those numbers are correct as Cerritos pounded three home runs, a triple, and three doubles in just over four innings.
The Gauchos had a bright spot in the top of the fourth inning when they scored both of their runs. Shannon Wilkison (pictured) beat out an infield single, Lauren Molina doubled to left field, Megan Geier singled to right field to score Wilkison and Molina came around to score on a throwing error by the right fielder.
Wilkison and Molina each ended up with two hits for the Gauchos.
Saddleback must win two games on Sunday in order to advance to next weekend's state tournament in Salinas. Sunday's first game is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m.
5/6/09: Gauchos versus defending champs, an inside look
The Saddleback fastpitch softball team had a successful first weekend, defeating College of the Canyons, 2-1 and 5-2 in advancing to the regional finals at Cerritos College. The Gauchos now take on the defending state champion Cerritos Falcons for a chance to play in the State Tournament on May 15-18.
Saddleback (29-12) entered the state playoffs as the No. 8 seed in Southern California and Cerritos as the No. 2 seed. However, the teams have met twice this season with the Gauchos winning both games. Saddleback defeated the Falcons 5-4 in the third game of the season on February 4 and again beat Cerritos 4-3 in six innings at the San Diego City Tournament on April 3.
  Making things more interesting was that Saddleback faced Cerritos ace and Co-State-Pitcher-of-the-Year Hillary Perez-Ashley in both games, beating her once and chasing her from the game after three innings in the other. Perez-Ashley finished the season at 27-5 for the season with a 1.61 ERA, but against the Gauchos was 0-1 with a 3.89 ERA.
Saddleback advanced to the regional finals with a pair of wins over College of the Canyons this past weekend. The Gauchos won the best-of-three series in two straight games, but had some issues in the field where they committed six errors over the course of the weekend. Head Coach Nick Trani says Saddleback has to be a lot better if they are going to win this weekend.
“Cerritos is too good of a team to make defensive mistakes against,” Trani said. “We will have to be on the top of our game if we want to have any chance to make it to the state tournament.”
Cerritos (37-9-1) advanced to the regional finals with two impressive wins over Ventura College this past weekend. The Falcons scored three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings of the opening game on Saturday in beating the Pirates 8-4. The second game was not so close, as Cerritos scored eight times in the opening inning en route to blowing out Ventura 10-0 in five innings on Sunday. Cerritos hit four home runs in the two-game set and Devin Salmones finished 4-for-5 at the plate for the Falcons.
  The Cerritos lineup is filled with talent as the Falcons hit a state record 51 home runs this season and 10 players were named to the 2009 All-South Coast Conference Team. In addition to Perez-Ashley, the Falcons had five others named to the first team as catcher Samantha Vaaulu, third baseman Desiree Miera, infielder Lindsey Marquez, outfielder Jennifer Salas and backup pitcher Lauren Castrellon all were recognized. The Falcons also had four players named to the second team all-conference list in shortstop Cassandra Godoy, first baseman Ashley Ventura, utility player Devin Salmones and third baseman Brandi Rummell.
Conversely, Saddleback had four players named to the All-Orange Empire Conference Team with pitcher Lauren Molina and catcher Sarah Bosshart making the first team and infielders Starr White and Kelly Bosshart making the second team.
First pitch for the three-game series is set to be thrown on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. The two teams will do it again on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. with a possible third game immediately following (if necessary).
5/4/09:
Fastpitch gets defending state champs in round two
  The Saddleback fastpitch softball team had to wait awhile before finding out who they would play in the second round of the Southern California playoffs. After dispersing of College of the Canyons in two straight over the weekend, the Gauchos will take on the defending state champions, Cerritos College, in a best-of-three series starting on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
Unlike some of the other sports at the community college level, softball re-seeds its teams after the opening round of the playoffs, thus creating a wait-and-see situation when trying to figure out who they will play in the second round. When all was said and done on Sunday, Los Angeles Mission College upset No. 3 seed Long Beach City College in a third and deciding game, thus moving Saddleback up to the No. 7 seed for the second round where they will face Cerritos College.
Saddleback took care of its own business, beating No. 9 College of the Canyons 2-1 on Saturday night and 5-2 on Sunday afternoon. The Gauchos received two solid pitching performances from Lauren Molina and a pair of home runs on Sunday in turning back the Cougars in two straight. Cerritos had an equally impressive weekend, thrashing Ventura College in two straight, 8-4 and 10-0.
The two teams have met twice this season with Saddleback winning both times. The Gauchos defeated Cerritos 5-4 back on February 4 and again defeated the Falcons 4-3 on April 3. Cerritos enters the second round of the playoffs with an overall record of 37-9-1. They defeated Mt. San Antonio College, 5-1, in the 2008 state title game and return three players from the 2008 lineup.
The series will pit two of the top pitchers in Southern California as Saddleback ace Lauren Molina (18-6) will face Cerritos starter Hillary Perez-Ashley (27-5).
The following is the matchups for the remaining Southern California regionals:
No. 8 Saddleback (29-12) @ No. 2 Cerritos (37-9)
No. 11 Los Angeles Mission (31-10) @ No. 1 Cypress (43-8)
No. 5 Riverside City (35-12) @ No. 4 Fullerton (32-9)
No. 7 Grossmont (21-14) @ No. 3 Mt. SAC (38-10)
5/3/09: Power surge lifts Gauchos over Cougars
 The Saddleback fastpitch softball team advanced to the second round of the Southern California playoffs with a 5-2 win over College of the Canyons on Sunday at Saddleback Fields. Sarah Bosshart (pictured left) hit a three run homer and later Lauren Molina a solo shot as the Gauchos swept the Cougars in two straight.
Saddleback got off to a slow start as they committed two early errors on defense in falling behind 1-0 in the first inning. Things would remain the same until the bottom of the third inning when Saddleback would explode for four runs in opening up a 4-1 lead.
Sarah Bosshart provided all the spark the Gauchos would need when she drove a pitch over the left-center field wall for a three run homer. Three batters later Lauren Molina would score the fourth run of the game for Saddleback on a slow roller to third by Megan Geier to put the Gauchos up 4-1. Molina wasn’t finished, however, as she would later hit a solo shot in the fifth inning to put Saddleback up 5-1 heading into the sixth inning.
Molina was also solid on the mound despite some problems behind her on defense. She struck out three and sprayed around six hits in keeping the Cougars off balance all afternoon in improving to 18-6 on the season.
For the second straight day, Ashley Imperial started on the hill for Canyons and walked away the loser. Imperial surrendered just five hits on the day but four of them came in one inning, dropping her record to 15-6 on the year.
Saddleback improved to 29-12 on the season with the win and will now sit and wait to find out who they will play in the second round of the Southern California playoffs next weekend. Canyons finishes the season at 27-16-1.
5/2/09: Gauchos win playoff opener
 The Saddleback fastpitch softball team opened the playoffs with a 2-1 win over College of the Canyons on Saturday night at Saddleback Fields. The Gauchos scored two runs in the first inning and made it stick as Lauren Molina (pictured) tossed a three-hitter for the Gauchos.
Molina struck out nine and walked four in holding the Cougars in tact for most of the night. Key to Molina’s success was getting the top two hitters in the Canyons lineup, Lauren Rose and Whitney Bruce, to go a collective 0-for-6 on the night.
Offensively, Sarah Bosshart led the Gaucho charge, finishing 2-for-3 with two doubles. Shannon Wilkison and Starr White collected the only other hits for Saddleback on the night.
With the win, Saddleback improves to 28-12 overall and more importantly takes a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series. The two teams will do it again tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. with a potential tiebreaker game to follow.
4/28/09: Fastpitch playoffs start on Saturday
The Saddleback College fastpitch softball team is gearing up for a first round best-of-three playoff series against College of the Canyons starting this Saturday night at Saddleback Fields. The Gauchos and Cougars look like one of the better matchups in the opening round of the Southern California playoffs as both lineups feature a number of all-conference players.
Saddleback enters the playoffs as the No. 8 seed and finished in fourth place in the Orange Empire Conference. The Gauchos finished the regular season at 27-12 overall and 12-9 in the OEC. Canyons enters the series as the No.9 seed in Southern California and finished as co-champions of the Western States Blue Division with an overall record of 27-14-1, finishing 17-5 in conference play.
  Saddleback and Canyons were set to play one another in February in the Green & Gold Tournament before the tournament was canceled due to rain. That does not mean, however, the two teams have not played some common opponents. The Gauchos finished 3-0 versus Western States Blue Division opponents this season, beating Los Angeles Valley twice (2-0, 2-0) and Citrus once (11-0). Canyons was equally impressive, finishing 3-1 versus Orange Empire Conference opponents, including a split against top-seeded Cypress (5-3, 5-6), a win against Fullerton (4-3) and a win against Riverside (4-1).
Saddleback enters the playoffs with four players on all-conference squads as pitcher Lauren Molina (pictured above left) and catcher Sarah Bosshart (pictured above right) were named to the first team and infielders Starr White and Kelly Bosshart to the second team. Molina led the conference with 135 strikeouts on the season while finishing 16-6 with a 1.93 ERA while Sarah Bosshart led the Gaucho offense in average (.372), hits (45) and runs-scored (32).
  Canyons had seven players named to all-conference teams led by Pitcher-of-the-Year Ashley Imperial (pictured left), who finished 15-4 with a 1.65 ERA. Joining Imperial on the first team all-conference list for the Cougars was utility player Melissa Herndon, first baseman Lauren Rose (pictured right), infielder Sarah Hasenfus and outfielder Whitney Bruce. In addition, catcher Sara Campos and infielder Jessica Fridwall were named to the second team all-conference list for Canyons.
Inside the numbers, the two teams look very similar on paper as Canyons batted .291 on the season while Saddleback hit .301. Both teams hit 10 home runs on the season and had almost identical fielding percentage numbers. If there was an edge for the Gauchos, it may be pitching where Saddleback carried a team ERA of 1.64 while the Cougars enter the playoffs with an ERA of 2.16.
The first pitch between the two teams is scheduled to be thrown at 7:00 p.m.
4/27/09: Softball has four named to all-conference list
  The Saddleback fastpitch softball team had four players named to the All-Orange Empire Conference Team this past week with two being named to the first team and two to the second team. The battery of Lauren Molina (pictured left) and Sarah Bosshart (pictured right) were named to the first team while the left side of the infield was selected to the second team.
The Gauchos playoff hopes will rely on the right arm of Molina, who finished second in the conference with 16 wins on the season. Her 135 strikeouts led the OEC while finishing with a 1.93 ERA for the season. Molina finished in the top-5 in the conference in six different pitching categories.
Bosshart led the Gauchos on offense, batting .372 on the season, which was good enough for 14th in the conference. She led Saddleback in hits (45) and runs-scored (32) while finishing with a .988 fielding percentage behind the plate.
  Freshmen Starr White (pictured left) and Kelly Bosshart (pictured right) were named to the second team all-conference list as both were pillars on the left side of the infield for the Gauchos. White batted .331 for the season and committed just five errors while playing the hot corner while Bosshart, the sister of Sarah Bosshart, led the Gauchos with three home runs and three triples while playing shortstop.
4/25/09: Fastpitch to host playoffs next weekend
The Saddleback fastpitch softball team found out its fate on Friday evening that it will be at home for the first round of the playoffs next weekend. The Gauchos earned the No. 8 seed in the Southern California playoffs and will host College of the Canyons starting Saturday.
Saddleback finished the regular season 27-12 overall and 12-9 in the Orange Empire Conference and, despite finishing in fourth place in the conference, were still awarded a home series on opening weekend. The Gauchos will host a Canyons team which finished 27-14-1 on the season and was the co-champions of the Western States Conference Blue Division with a 17-5 record in conference play. The two teams were scheduled to play one another in the Green and Gold Tournament in February, but the event was canceled due to rain.
 “We haven’t played Canyons, but I know they have a solid team and will be a tough matchup for us,” Saddleback head coach Nick Trani said. “I expect it to be a tough series. They have a good record and beat Cypress, so I know they are capable of beating any team in the state. We have to concern ourselves with playing good ball and taking care of our own business on the field.”
Saddleback finished with the No. 6 RPI ranking in Southern California and could have been seeded as high as No. 6, but in the end the South Coast Conference edged the OEC in strength of conference, thus knocking the Gauchos down a few notches when the seedings came out. Canyons had the No. 10 RPI ranking in Southern California at the end of the season.
Southern California Regional matchups are as follows. Home teams are bolded.
No. 1 Cypress (41-8) vs. No. 16 Mt. San Jacinto (18-18)
No. 8 Saddleback (27-12) vs. No. 9 Canyons (27-14-1)
No. 4 Fullerton (30-8) vs. No. 13 Moorpark (31-12)
No. 5 Riverside (33-11) vs. No. 12 Palomar 19-14)
No. 3 Mt. San Antonio (36-10) vs. No. 14 Antelope Valley (23-13)
No. 6 Long Beach City (27-12) vs. No. 11 Los Angeles Mission (29-9)
No. 7 Grossmont (19-14) vs. No. 10 East Los Angeles (28-15)
No. 2 Cerritos (35-9) vs. No. 15 Ventura (25-18)
4/22/09: Softball closes out regular season
The Saddleback fastpitch softball team ended the regular season with a 4-1 loss to Riverside Community College on Wednesday evening at Saddleback Field. The Gauchos, who had very little to play for, will wait until Friday night to find out where they will be seeded in the Southern California playoffs.
 Saddleback had its chances on Wednesday evening but could not capitalize on scoring situations. The Gauchos’ top two batters in the lineup, Shannon Wilkison (pictured) and Kelly Bosshart, combined for five hits but the rest of the lineup could not find a way to get them across the plate. In the end, Riverside strung together three runs in the fourth inning before Saddleback scored its lone run of the game in the fifth inning.
Wilkison finished with three hits on the evening and Bosshart two but the rest of the lineup could only manage two hits for the game as the Gauchos finished the regular season at 27-12 overall and 12-9 in Orange Empire Conference play. Riverside finishes the regular season at 33-11 overall and 15-6 in the OEC.
Both teams will now wait to find out where they will be seeded in the upcoming Southern California playoffs, which start on May 2. Saddleback was rated No. 14 in the state and No. 7 in Southern California in the latest Coaches Poll released on April 19 but has the No. 11 overall RPI rating in the state and No. 6 RPI rating in Southern California. The top eight teams from both halves of the state will host regional play next weekend. Playoff seeds are expected to be announced late Friday.
4/20: Bosshart hits two out in romp over Citrus
 The Saddleback women’s softball team showed Monday afternoon that they are a force to be reckoned with, blanking Citrus College 12-0 in five innings. Kelly Bosshart (pictured) went 3-for-3 with two home runs and pitcher Lauren Molina went 3-for-4 in her shutout victory.
The Gauchos scored in every inning of the game including four runs in the first inning and six in the third. Kelly Bosshart was accountable for at least one run in each inning, going 3-for-3 with two homeruns, a double, three RBI, and four runs scored.
Lauren Molina got her 16th victory of the season striking out six batters and allowing only two hits in four scoreless innings.
Saddleback improves to 27-10 overall. The Gauchos will host the final game of the regular season in an Orange Empire Conference match-up against Riverside College this Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Depending on how Riverside did tonight, the match-up could be a battle for third place in the OEC.
4/18: Softball falls to Fullerton
 The Saddleback women’s softball team is still fighting for third place in the Orange Empire Conference but its chances took a hit on Saturday when the Gauchos fell to Fullerton College, 7-2. The Gauchos have one conference game remaining against Riverside College on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. and will close out their non-conference schedule today at 3:00 p.m. at home against Citrus College.
The Fullerton Hornets took control early and never looked back in beating Saddleback on Saturday at Bastanchury Park in Fullerton. Fullerton scored three times in the first inning and took a 7-0 lead before Saddleback would finally score its first run of the game in the fifth inning.
The Hornets hit three home runs in the game before Starr White (pictured) responded with a solo shot in the fifth inning to get the Gauchos on the board. Saddleback would score twice in the inning for its only two runs of the game.
Lauren Molina pitched the entire game for the Gauchos and was saddled with the loss. She is now 15-5 on the season. Sierra Gallego pitched five innings for the Hornets to pick up the win and improve to 15-2 on the season.
Saddleback is now 26-11 overall and 12-8 in conference play heading into the final week of the regular season. The Gauchos currently trail Riverside Community College by 1.5 games for third place in the conference standings but the Tigers could close out Saddleback today with a win over Golden West College. A loss today by Riverside would set up a game for third place on Wednesday evening at Saddleback Field.
4/17: Softball blanks L.A. Valley in non-conference game
 Saddleback shut out visiting L.A. Valley College 2-0 on Friday in a non-conference contest to improve to 26-10 overall and in preparation for the final three games of the regular season.
Third baseman Starr White
doubled to lead off the bottom of the second inning, advanced to third on a bunt single by Megan Geier (pictured), and then scored on a wild pitch to give Saddleback all of the offense it would need on the afternoon. The Gauchos added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning after catcher Sarah Bosshart reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to third on a single by Lauren Molina, and then scored on a single by White. Geier followed with another single but Molina was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
It was a tougher day than normal for Molina who was robbed of a home run in the first inning when Los Angeles Valley left fielder Stephanie Sauno reached over the fence to catch Molina's long fly ball. Although Molina (15-4) earned the victory on the mound in relief of Dana Hermosillo, she pitcher herself into a jam in the fifth inning when she hit three batters to load the bases before getting a flyout to center field to end the threat.
Shannon Wilkison, White, and Geier each had two hits for the Gauchos. Molina struck out three and hit three, allowing only one hit in four innings.
Final week is key for softball seeding
The Saddleback fastpitch softball team looks like a comfortable pick to qualify for the Southern California playoffs and now it remains to be seen whether or not they will host a first round 2-of-3 series. The Gauchos are currently in fourth place in conference play, but seventh in Southern California according to the latest RPI ratings.
Saddleback is 25-10 overall and 12-7 in the rugged Orange Empire Conference, widely known as the toughest conference in Southern California. The Gauchos are currently trailing Riverside Community College by 1.5 games in the conference standings with two conference games remaining, but still have a chance to overtake the Tigers in the standing provided they win their final two games in conference play. Riverside is currently rated No. 5 in Southern California according to the latest RPI and has three games remaining in conference play, including a game against top-rated Cypress College today (Friday). Saddleback and Riverside will play each other to finish the regular season next Wednesday at Saddleback field at 5:00 p.m.
Saddleback has four total games remaining on the schedule, including non-conference matchups with Los Angeles Valley College today (Friday) and Citrus College on Monday. The Gauchos will play Fullerton College in their other remaining conference game at Bastanchury Park on Saturday (tomorrow) at 6:00 p.m.
The top eight teams in Southern California will host a three-game series starting on May 1. A separate formula is used to determine playoff seeds. The current RPI ratings for teams 1-10 in Southern California are as follows:
1. Cypress; 2. Cerritos;
3. Mt. San Antonio; 4. Fullerton; 5. Riverside;
6. Palomar; 7. Saddleback; 8. Grossmont; 9. Long Beach City; 10. Canyons
4/15: Errors spell doom in loss to Cypress
Saddleback committed four errors in the sixth inning to allow Cypress to score four unearned runs, resulting in a 7-2 setback to the conference-leading Chargers in an otherwise tight contest.
Cypress scored one run in the first inning on a controversial call at home plate when it appeared that the throw home by Gaucho left fielder Brittany Ash was in time to get the Cypress runner trying to score from second base on a single. Later in the inning a similar situation occurred on a single up the middle with the relay from center field to shortstop Kelly Bosshart and then to catcher Sarah Bosshart on target again. This time the Cypress runner was called out to end the inning.
The Chargers added another run in the third inning and Saddleback answered with a run in the fifth inning to keep the game close at 2-1. But the sixth inning turned devilish for the Gauchos as they allowed the leadoff batter to reach base on an error, then got a pop up to the catcher before committing three more consecutive errors as Cypress opened up a 6-1 lead.
Both teams were credited with five errors and each team stranded eight runners on base in a pitching duel between Cypress' Natasha Ruiz (25-1) and Saddleback's Lauren Molina (14-4). Ruiz struck out three batters while Molina struck out four.
Sarah Bosshart had two of Saddleback's eight hits with Shannon Wilkison and Megan Geier each pounding out doubles and Kelly Bosshart (pictured) getting credit for a sun-aided triple over the right fielder.
Saddleback (25-10, 12-7) remains in fourth place in the conference standings while Cypress (37-7, 17-1) held on to first place.
4/09: Softball completes sweep of Santiago Canyon
Saddleback scored four runs in the first inning and two more in the second inning on the way to a 7-4 victory over Santiago Canyon College on Thursday. The win gave the Gauchos a sweep of the three games played between the two schools this season.
Starr White (pictured) led the team offensively with three hits and two RBI. Sophomore pitcher Dana Hermocillo picked up the win
by scattering six hits and only allowing one earned run. Saddleback improved to 24-9 overall with the victory.
4/05: Gauchos win two of three in San Diego
 Saddleback won two of its three games in the San Diego City College tournament held over the weekend, defeating a highly-touted Cerritos team (4-3) and a tough Mt. San Jacinto team (5-1) before falling to Grossmont (2-0) in the finals.
The Gauchos, ranked No. 7 in Southern California, scored all four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to upset Cerritos, which was ranked No. 2 in the region. Through five innings, neither team could account for a hit. Cerritos finally scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning to break a scoreless tie before the Gauchos put together a string of six hits to rally for the win. Starr White had the game-winning RBI, singling home Sarah Bosshart for Saddleback's fourth run. Pitcher Lauren Molina improved to 13-2 with the win, allowing just three Falcon hits.
Megan Geier (pictured) had a double and three RBI and pitcher Dana Hermocillo allowed only one unearned run in the seventh inning as Saddleback beat Mt. San Jacinto in the second game, 5-1. The victory improved Saddleback's overall record to 22-8 on the season.
In the tournament finals, the Gauchos dropped a close contest to
Grossmont. Despite limiting the Griffins to just four hits, Molina suffered the loss on the mound as her teammates couldn't come up with timely hits on offense. The Gauchos had one runner thrown out at home and stranded runners on base in five of the six innings played, adding to the frustration.
Saddleback will return to Orange Empire Conference play on Wednesday, April 8, when it hosts Golden West College at 3:00 p.m. in the campus softball complex.
4/01: Gauchos hit two out in win over Dons
 Saddleback batters hit two home runs and then held on down the stretch to hand Santa Ana a 4-3 loss during Orange Empire Conference play on Wednesday.
Brittany Ash (pictured) hit a two-out solo home run in the second inning to give the Gauchos an early lead. Saddleback added two more runs in the third inning when Kelly Bosshart led off with a single and scored on a one-out double by Sarah Bosshart. Starr White singled with two outs to drive in Sarah Bosshart and the Gauchos had a 3-0 lead. Santa Ana scored one run in the fourth inning but the Gauchos got the run back in the fifth inning as Lauren Molina launched a one-out home run.
Santa Ana tried to rally in the sixth inning with two singles and a walk, scoring two runs and aided by one Gaucho error, but ended the inning on a pop up to the catcher.
The win improved the Gauchos' record to 20-8 overall and 9-6 in conference play.
3/30: Pitching carries softball team to tournament title
The Saddleback softball team went undefeated in the Santa Barbara City College Tournament over the weekend, allowing just three runs in four games to capture the tourney title. The Gauchos defeated El Camino 6-1 on Saturday and then added a 6-2 victory against the host Santa Barbara team later that day. On Sunday, pitchers Lauren Molina and Dana Hermocillo threw back to back shutouts in leading the Gauchos past LA Pierce (8-0) and then LA Valley (2-0) in the title game.
The Gauchos were led offensively by Shannon Wilkison (pictured) who was 6-for-14 with five RBI and Lauren Molina who was 7-for-14 with four RBI, including four doubles.
Saddleback improved its record to 19-8 overall and will return to Orange Empire Conference action on Wednesday, hosting Santa Ana at 3:00 p.m.
3/25: Gauchos fall to Hornets
Saddleback fell to Fullerton College by a 2-1 count in a home Orange Empire Conference contest on Wednesday afternoon.
Fullerton committed two errors in the first inning which allowed Saddleback (15-8, 8-6) to put runners on second and third but the Gauchos couldn't push them across the plate. Fullerton bobbled Kaitlyn Friday's high chopper up the middle to open the second inning and the Gauchos' got an infield single from Megan Geier with one out, but the Gauchos couldn't score either of those runners. Finally, in the third inning, Brittany Ash (pictured) reached on another Fullerton error, reached second on an error by the pitcher, advanced to third on a single to right field by Starr White, and scored on Friday's ground out to second base.
That would be all of Fullerton's defensive miscues and the Hornets put the tying run up in the fourth inning when Diana Payan doubled down the right field line followed by Natalie DeLeese's double down the left field line. Fullerton's rally was cut short when Saddleback pitcher Dana Hermosillo struck out the last two batters on called third strikes.
Fullerton added the winning run in the fifth inning following a leadoff walk, a sacrifice bunt, and a single to center field by Elyse Parr.
Saddleback mounted a comeback in the bottom of the fifth inning when Ash singled and advanced to second on a ground out. However, she was thrown out at third base on another infield ground ball. Ash came up again with two outs in the seventh inning and stroked a double to right field but was stranded there when the game ended on a pop up to the first baseman.
Hermosillo was credited with seven strikeouts for the Gauchos but absorbed the loss on the mound. The Gauchos will play this weekend in the Santa Barbara City College tournament.
3/11: Gauchos blank Bucs behind Hermosillo's pitching
 Saddleback defeated the Orange Coast Pirates 8-0 on Wednesday behind 1-hit pitching from sophomore Dana Hermosillo. Hermosillo improved to 4-4 on the year after striking out four and pitching six innings without a walk or hit batsmen.
Offensively, the Gauchos were led by Sarah Bosshart (pictured) who went 4-for-4 with four RBI including a double and a triple. Lauren Molina, Kaitlyn Friday, and Chelsea Llevanos each had two hits for the Gauchos.
Saddleback scored one run in the bottom of the first inning and added four more in the second but the Gauchos couldn't enact the mercy rule until the sixth inning when Megan Geier tripled to lead off the inning and Bosshart followed with a triple, then scored on a wild pitch to give Saddleback the 8-run cushion needed to call the game early.
Saddleback is 14-6 on the season and 8-4 in conference games.
3/11: Bosshart & Friday lead Gauchos over Hawks
 Kaitlyn Friday (pictured) cleared the bases with a two out double and Kelly Bosshart followed with a two-run homerun, capping a five run third inning as the Gauchos pounded Santiago Canyon, 9-3.
Bosshart had three hits and scored three runs while Friday had two hits and four RBI to pace an 11-hit attack. Lauren Molina pitched into the 5th inning to record her ninth win (9-1) and Dana Hermocillo earned her second save, pitching out of a bases loaded jam in the fifth.
Saddleback improved to 12-5 overall and 6-3 in conference as they prepare to travel to Golden West for a 6 p.m. game on Friday.
3/9: Gauchos defeat state's top-ranked team
Saddleback's softball team won three of four games during the Fresno Tournament over the weekend, including a thrilling 1-0 win over the state's top-ranked College of the Siskiyous team in 11 innings.
 Sophomore pitcher Lauren Molina (pictured) improved her record to 8-1, matching the record of previously unbeaten Siskiyous ace pitcher Jackie Imhoff. Molina allowed just two singles while striking out 11. Marilyn Voight scored the game's only run, dislodging the ball from the catcher on Brittany Ash's ground ball to the pitcher. Voight started the bottom half of the inning running at second base due to the international tie-breaker rules and advanced to third base on a wild pitch before coming home to score.
Earlier in the day Saddleback defeated Allan Hancoc by a 12-2 score and Reedley 1-0 with Dana Hermocillo picking up both of those wins.
3/4: Gauchos catch Tigers at the tail end
Saddleback's softball team scored twice in the fifth inning and added five more runs in the sixth inning to run away from the Riverside Tigers, 7-1, in an Orange Empire Conference matchup on Wednesday at Saddleback.
 After spotting the Tigers a run in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Jackie Serna, the Gauchos bounced back in the fifth inning as Dana Hermocillo (pictured) doubled to lead off the inning. Megan Geier was inserted as a pinch-runner for Hermocillo and eventually came around to score after Brittany Ash reached on an error and advanced to second base when the Tigers failed to cover the base. Kelli Larson grounded out to the pitcher, scoring Geier and advancing Ash to third base. Shannon Wilkison reached base when the throw from shortstop was dropped by Riverside's first baseman, allowing Ash to score the go-ahead run.
The Gauchos (8-4 overall, 5-3 in conference) added five runs in the sixth inning on singles by Lauren Molina, Marilyn Voight, Hermocillo, Ash, and Kelly Bosshart. With the bases loaded, Sarah Bosshart was hit by a pitch and Molina walked to push across the two final runs.
Molina improved to 7-1 with the victory, striking out eight Tigers while only walking one. The Gauchos will play in the Fresno Tournament this weekend.
3/2: Softball blanks Dons
The Saddleback Gauchos blanked Santa Ana College 8-0 in a 5-inning game cut short by the mercy rule during Monday's Orange Empire Conference schedule.
Saddleback scored five runs in the first inning, highlighted by Dana Hermosillo's bases-loaded double, and cruised to its fourth conference win. The Gauchos saw eight different batters collect hits on the afternoon. Lauren Molina improved her record on the mound to 6-1 as she allowed just two hits while striking out four Santa Ana batters.
The Gauchos host Riverside Community College on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
2/27: Softball stung by Hornets
The Saddleback softball team dropped a 2-0 decision at Fullerton College on Friday afternoon despite matching the Hornets hit for hit.
Both teams picked up eight hits in the game, with Saddleback's Sarah Bosshart, Marilyn Voight, and Brittany Ash each accounting for two hits. Yet the Gauchos were unable to push any runs across. Fullerton was able to score single runs in the first and fifth innings. Dana Hermocillo (pictured) pitched the complete game for Saddleback, striking out six and walking just one.
Fullerton's Jackie Taylor was 3-for-3, including a triple, and was credited with driving in both runs for the Hornets.
2/25/09: Softball falls to Cypress in wild finish
When the top two teams in the Orange Empire Conference squared off on Wednesday, something had to give. But no one was expecting a wild finish which saw back-to-back six run innings in an 8-6 victory for Cypress over the Gauchos.
Cypress scored two runs in the third inning and it looked like that might hold up until the bottom of the sixth inning when Saddleback put up six runs for a 6-2 lead. Megan Geier's bases-loaded groundout pushed across the first run and Kelli Larson followed with a two-run single, Sarah Bosshart added another two-run single, and Lauren Molina added an RBI single.
With a 6-2 lead in an otherwise hard-fought game, it appeared the Gauchos would end up with a victory. But Cypress wasn't ready to throw in the towel quite yet. The Chargers scored six runs in the top of the seventh with five straight hits, a fielder's choice which didn't produce an out, another single, a hit batsman with bases loaded, and then a passed ball.
Kelly Bosshart and Molina each had two hits for the Gauchos (6-3, 3-2). Starting pitcher Molina struck out six and walked one in a solid pitching performance, but Dana Hermocillo (1-2) took the loss for Saddleback.
2/23/09: Softball records second straight shutout
Saddleback recorded its second straight shutout on Monday when they went on the road and gained a 9-0 win over Santiago Canyon College in five innings. Dana Hermocillo was the star of the game, pitching a one-hitter and knocking in three runs of her own.
Hermocillo (pictured) carried a perfect game into the 5th inning before one of the Hawks lined a ball to center field to open the inning. It appeared that center fielder Shannon Wilkison made the catch on the play, but when she came up to transfer the ball out of her glove hand, the ball fell to the ground and the umpire called it a hit. It was the only blemish on what was otherwise a perfect day for Hermocillo and the rest of the Gauchos as they won by mercy rule in five innings.
Saddleback scratched out 11 singles on the day, led by Kelly Bosshart who finished 3-for-3 with a walk. Hermocillo helped herself out at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with three RBI on the afternoon.
It was the second straight shutout the Gauchos have recorded, including a 5-0 win over Orange Coast College last Friday.
Saddleback improved to 6-2 overall on the season and 3-1 in Orange Empire Conference play with the win. The Gauchos will take on perennial power Cypress College at home this Wednesday at 3:00 PM.
2/13/09: Softball wins extra inning thriller
The Saddleback fastpitch softball team had a big win on Friday afternoon on the road when they took down perennial power Palomar College, 5-4 in extra innings. The Gauchos managed to pull out the victory against the Comets despite a few moments when it looked like they could be in trouble.
The miracles started early when Saddleback managed to get out of the first inning with no runs against them after allowing four walks to Palomar batters. With the bases juiced, starting pitcher Lauren Molina delivered a pitch that wasn’t handled by catcher Sarah Bosshart and went to the backstop. The runner from third was called out at home when Bosshart delivered a strike to Molina at home to cut down the runner attempting to score.
Saddleback took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the 5th inning but was not so fortunate the second time around as Palomar scored three runs to tie the score at 3-3. The Gauchos then took a 4-3 lead in the top of the 7th inning and held on for dear life in the bottom of the inning to send the game into extra innings. The Comets loaded the bases with no outs in the 7th before Molina struck out the next batter and with one out forced a pop-out for the second out of the inning. With only one lifeline remaining, Palomar then singled to center to tie the score and sent the game into extra innings.
 Saddleback scored the winning run in the top of the eighth inning when Shannon Wilkison (pictured) led off the inning with a double off the wall. The ball actually went through the bottom of the fence and was called a ground-rule double, or Wilkison likely would have gone all the way to third with a triple. After a sacrifice fly by Sarah Bosshart put Wilkison at third base, Molina then drove a ball into center field that was caught, but Wilkison tagged and scored to give the Gauchos a 5-4 lead heading into the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Dana Hermacillo came on to pitch and picked up the save for Saddleback, as she shut down the Comets without a fight, something that was rather uncommon for the Gauchos on this given Friday.
Molina scattered 11 hits to Palomar hitters and allowed seven walks but her defense behind her allowed her to improve to 4-0 on the season. Hermacillo picked up her first save of the season as the Gauchos improved to 4-1 on the season.
Saddleback is scheduled to play two games at Southwestern College on Monday, weather permitting. The Gauchos will play host Southwestern at 11:00 AM followed by a 1:00 PM game against Chaffey College.
2/11/09: Softball impressive in OEC opener
The Saddleback Gauchos fastpitch conference opener went as well as it could have on Wednesday as the Gauchos defeated the Dons, 11-3, in five innings at Saddleback Field. Lauren Molina surrendered only one hit on the day as the Gauchos scored six times in the fifth inning to end the game by the mercy rule.
Molina was brilliant on the hill, striking out 10 and giving up three unearned runs through five innings of work to improve to 3-0 on the season. She stuck out six of the first nine batters she faced and was untouchable for most of the day.
Saddleback led 5-0 when Santa Ana capitalized on a few Gauchos miscues in the field to cut the lead to 5-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning. Saddleback then exploded for six runs to close out the game, with Brittany Ash (pictured) providing the big blow with a two-run double to give the Gauchos a 9-3 lead.
Starr White and Kelly Bosshart led the offensive charge for Saddleback as White finished 3-for-3 and Bosshart 3-for-4 on the afternoon. The Gauchos touched Santa Ana pitching for 11 hits on the day.
Saddleback improved to 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in Orange Empire Conference play with the win. The Gauchos are scheduled to play again on Friday at Palomar College at 2:00 PM. Saddleback is scheduled to play a non-conference double-header on Monday against Southwestern College and Chaffey College before returning to conference action against Golden West College next Wednesday.
Santa Ana fell to 2-3-1 on the season with the loss.
2/4/09: Gauchos Edge Cerritos 5-4
Saddleback edged Cerritos 5-4 in an exciting women's fastpitch softball game at home on Wednesday afternoon, giving fans of both teams something to cheer about.
Cerritos (6-2-1) scored four runs in the top of the third inning to snap a scoreless tie as Kayla Campo singled, was sacrificed to second, and then reached third on another single before the Falcons' Jen Salas launched a 3-run home run. A walk and two singles later, the Falcons had plated another run before Saddleback pitcher Lauren Molina struck out Ashley Ventura to end the inning.
 The lead didn't last long as Saddleback (2-1) tallied four runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning to tie the score. Kelli Larson singled with one out and moved to second when Kelly Bosshart drew a walk. Shannon Wilkison singled to load the bases and Sarah Bosshart singled home a run. Third baseman Starr White (pictured) then hit a 2-out double to clear the bases, driving in three runs.
Cerritos threatened to score in the fifth inning on back-to-back hit batsmen, but a pop up to first base ended that rally. Saddleback scored the winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning as Kelly Bosshart reached base on an error, was sacrificed to second, advanced to third on a single by sister Sarah, and then scored on a groundout to second base by Molina. The Falcons were retired in order in the sixth and seventh innings to preserve the win for Saddleback.
Molina struck out eight batters while walking two and hitting two from the mound and also drove in the winning run. Sarah Bosshart had two singles for Saddleback
and one RBI while White had three RBI.
Saddleback was scheduled to play in the Green & Gold Tournament in Irvine this weekend, weather permitting.
2/2/09: Gauchos Fall To Griffins
Saddleback dropped a 4-2 decision to visiting Grossmont College on Monday afternoon to even its record out at 1-1 early in the schedule. The Gauchos were able to account for only one hit off Griffins pitcher Char Zetsch. Zetsch struck out eight Gauchos and allowed four walks.
Saddleback scored twice in the bottom of the third inning when shortstop Kelly Bosshart was hit by a pitch with two out. Shannon Wilkison (pictured) followed with a double to deep center field and advanced to third when the ball was thrown home to try to get Bosshart. The Griffins' catcher then threw to third to try to get Wilkison but the ball went off the third baseman's glove and past the
reach of the shortstop backing up the play, rolling into short left field and allowing Wilkison to come in to score. Sarah Bosshart then walked to bring the tying run to the plate in slugger Lauren Molina, but Molina grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.
The Gauchos will host Cerritos on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
1/28/09: Softball impresses with 7-1 win on opening day
The Saddleback fastpitch softball team opened up the season with a 7-1 win over San Diego Mesa College on Wednesday at Saddleback College. The Gauchos were led by sophomore pitcher Lauren Molina, who was dominant both on the mound and at the plate.
Molina threw a one-hitter on the day and struck out eight in the process. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Molina homered once and had three hits and two RBI.
The Gauchos carried a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning when they exploded for four runs to take command of the game.
“They played well right out of the shoot,” head coach Nick Trani said. “I was happy with their performance. It would have been nice to have a few more hits early on, but I thought they played well for opening day.”
Catcher Sarah Bosshart chipped on offense with two hits in three at-bats and a walk.
Saddleback will play again on Monday when they take on Grossmont College at 3:00 PM at home. The Gauchos were scheduled to play at home this Friday against El Camino College, but the game has been postponed until a later date.
GAUCHO TRIO MAKE ALL-CONFERENCE LIST
Saddleback had three players selected to the all-Orange Empire Conference list this week in voting by conference coaches.
Freshman pitcher Lauren Molina and sophomore catcher Krystal Navarro each earned first-team all-conference recognition while sophomore shortstop Traci Everett earned second-team all-conference honors. Molina was 8-9 as a pitcher in conference games with a 3.30 ERA. She recorded 89 strikeouts in 108 innings and was also Saddleback’s second-leading hitter (.381). Half of her 24 hits were for extra bases, including seven doubles, a triple, and four home runs. She led the conference with 23 RBI and 23 runs scored.
Navarro batted .356 for the Gauchos, including two doubles and three home runs. She had 20 RBI and scored 17 runs. Everett, who was the conference Player of the Year last season as a freshman, helped the Gauchos to a 32-12 overall record and a third place finish in the conference standings (12-9) this season. She batted .338 (24 for 71) with three doubles and a triple. She added 13 RBI and scored 19 runs.
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