Cats take a big Estep forward

The Saddleback softball team had its biggest win of the season on Monday with a 4-3 win against Cypress College on the Saddleback softball diamond.  Emma Estep delivered a walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh inning to sting the Chargers.

Saddleback had a swagger in their step on Monday and never trailed in the game.  The Bobcats took a lead in the bottom half of the first inning and led in the entire game up until the top half of the seventh inning when Cypress tied the score.

Katie Schmidt had arguably her best outing on the mound of the season.  She pitched a complete game, holding the Chargers to only six hits.  Schmidt struck out six Cypress batters and surrendered only two walks in improving to 9-17 on the season.

Saddleback took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Ehva Cifuentes-Zombulovic singled home Kianna Gutierrez with the opening run of the game.  The Bobcats tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the third inning when the first three batters reached base.  Saddleback capitalized when Isabel Siqueiros singled home Anne Thibert and Cifuentes-Zombulovic then scored on a ground out from Schmidt for a 3-0 lead.

Saddleback held a 3-1 lead heading into the top half of the seventh inning when Cypress finally found some offense.  The Chargers broke through with a triple from Cameron Curiel to tie the game, but were unable to push the go-ahead run across the plate.

Saddleback started the bottom of the seventh inning with two straight outs and looked destined to be heading to extra innings.  The Bobcats caught a break when Thibert hit a sharp grounder to shortstop that was misplayed, allowing her to reach base.  The Bobcats then got aggressive on the base paths, with Thibert stealing second base to put the potential winning run at second base.  Cypress proceeded to intentionally walk Cifuentes-Zombulovic, setting up a force out.  Estep then stepped to the plate and delivered the winning hit with a hard line drive to right-center field, bringing home Thibert with the winning run. 

Saddleback is now 9-18 overall and 5-12 in Orange Empire Conference play.  The Bobcats will play again on Wednesday at Riverside City College.  The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.