Rancho Santiago Rallies to Beat Fullerton in Softball

Rancho Santiago scored an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth to defeat Fullerton, 2-1, in an Orange Empire Conference softball game Wednesday at Rancho Santiago.

A throwing error allowed Melissa Cruz to score from third with the winning run. The victory moved Rancho Santiago (20-13-1, 8-3 in conference) into a tie for second place with Fullerton (20-7, 8-3) and Saddleback (19-6, 8-3).

Fullerton took a 1-0 lead in the second when Cara Hatt scored on a fielder’s choice. Rancho Santiago tied it in the sixth inning on Remy Amaro’s sacrifice fly.

Winning pitcher Sheryl Anderson struck out a season-high six for Rancho Santiago (20-13-1, 8-3).

In Orange Empire Conference softball:

Cypress 8, Riverside 0 (5, mercy)--Aimee Weathers hit a two-run double to highlight a six-run first inning and Autumn Gwinner had two hits, two RBIs and a run scored for host Cypress (23-9, 9-2), which remained in first place. Riverside is 5-15, 3-9.

Golden West 4, Orange Coast 3--Wendy Mertan hit a triple to score Michelle Weld with the go-ahead run in the sixth and Jennifer Hollinger pitched two perfect innings of relief to earn the victory for Golden West (10-8, 6-5).

Saddleback 3, Irvine Valley 0--The Gauchos (19-6, 8-3) moved into a second-place tie with Rancho Santiago and Fullerton. Jodi Smith (12-2) threw a two-hitter and Misty Thompson had two hits and a run scored for Saddleback.

In Orange Empire Conference golf:

Saddleback 377, Orange Coast 400, Riverside 403, Golden West 450--Lee Kinney shot par 72 at Moreno Valley Ranch for Saddleback.

In Orange Empire Conference men’s volleyball:

Orange Coast 3, Palomar 0--Mike Pixler had 12 kills for Orange Coast (15-1, 12-1), which won, 15-9, 15-7, 15-5.