Saddleback sweeps Vaqueros, 8-1 and 11-2

Saddleback's pitchers limited SBCC to a total of seven hits in a doubleheader sweep on Saturday at Pershing Park.

Veronica Belleza and left-hander Annalie Benjamen allowed just four hits in the opener and struck out 15. The Gauchos (4-2) also stole eight bases.

Belleza, who's already thrown a perfect game and a no-hitter this year, allowed one run on three hits in five innings of the opener. She struck out 12 and walked two. Belleza has 41 strikeouts and five walks in four games this year.

"She's definitely good," said Vaquero coach Justine Bosio. "She's got that little riseball and if you don't lay off it, she's going to get you. That's what got us today."

The Vaqueros (0-4) scored in the third to cut the deficit to 3-1. Alexandra Berg singled and Emily LoneTree doubled to the center-field fence. Pinch-hitter Taylor Tibbels reached on an error and Madison Foster walked to force in the run.

Vaquero pitchers Paige Powell and Carson Dunckley walked nine in the first game and eight in the second.

"We need to make a mental mindshift from here on out," said Bosio. "There's always frustration when you go 0-4 in the opening week but I have a lot of faith in this team. We just have to get over the hump and our goal is to win the conference. We have about a month of games to figure out those little things that we need to do better to get ready for conference."

Dunckley started in the circle in Game 2 and allowed seven runs but only three were earned. SBCC took a 2-1 lead after one inning when LoneTree walked and scored on a throwing error and Skylar Gothan drove in Tibbels with an infield hit.

Saddleback regained control by scoring four in the second and two in the fourth to go up 7-2. SBCC committed four errors in the nightcap, leading to six unearned runs.

Benjamen went 2-3 with two RBIs and got the pitching win with 3.0 innings of work, allowing just one earned run on three hits.

The Vaqueros will host L.A. Mission on Tuesday and Santiago Canyon on Wednesday with both starting at 2:30 p.m.