Rustlers Hold Off Bobcats in 7-6 Thriller, Stays Hot in OEC Play

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Golden West College jumped out to a commanding early lead and then held off a furious Saddleback comeback to secure a nail-biting 7-6 win at home on Tuesday afternoon in Orange Empire Conference action.

The Rustlers (21-6, 7-3 OEC) scored all seven of their runs in the first two innings, capitalizing on timely hitting and early miscues by the Bobcats to seize momentum. Desyree Arizmendi led the offensive charge, going 2-for-2 with a bases-clearing double in the second inning that put Golden West up 6-0. She finished with three RBIs and also earned the win in the circle, improving to 10-3 on the year.

Catcher Lola Weber added two more RBIs on a first-inning single and a third-inning triple, while Isabella Santiago contributed with a clutch two-run single to help power the early surge.

After being stifled for four innings, Saddleback (18-10, 2-7 OEC) exploded for six runs in the fifth inning to make things interesting. The Bobcats strung together six hits in the frame, including a two-RBI single from Ka'ui Garcia, a two-run base hit from McKenzie Lombard, and a two-run double by Tasneem Kerdiya to cut the deficit to just one.

Golden West turned to Angelique Perez in relief, and the sophomore delivered. Perez entered with two outs in the fifth and shut the door the rest of the way, tossing 2.1 innings of scoreless ball while allowing just two hits and striking out one to earn her second save of the season.

The Rustlers' defense held firm in the final two innings, turning a key double play in the sixth and keeping the tying run off the bases in the seventh to secure the win.

With the victory, Golden West remains in the thick of the OEC playoff race and improves to 10-1 at home this season.

The Rustlers return to action on Thursday, April 10, when they travel to Saddleback College for game two of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.