Community College Baseball : Golden West Rallies, Then Holds Off Saddleback for Tournament Title

Mike Huyler made two game-saving plays in the ninth inning and had two key hits earlier to lead Golden West College to an 8-7 victory over Saddleback Saturday to win the championship of the double-elimination Saddleback baseball tournament.

Huyler, a sophomore second baseman from Marina High School, reached high to his left to snag a line drive hit by Jeff Walters with two out and the bases loaded.

Jason Nigro had singled to open the ninth for Saddleback and stolen second. But Tom Thobe, Golden West’s pitcher, struck out Keith Hatch and Matt Lundin. Dave Shetland then grounded a ball up the middle, but Huyler dove to his right and smothered the ball, forcing Nigro to hold at third and Shetland to settle for a single. Carl Watkins walked to load the bases before Walters came to bat.

Huyler had a two-run single to cap a six-run sixth inning as Golden West rallied for the second consecutive day.

In the semifinal game Friday, Saddleback led, 8-0, going into the sixth inning but Golden West scored 11 runs and later won, 13-11.

Saddleback’s Bill Lasher hit a three-run home run in the first inning Saturday as Saddleback opened a 3-0 lead. Lasher added a two-run single in the third inning and Saddleback led, 5-0. Lasher singled in the sixth but hurt his knee running to first base and left the game.

Saddleback’s Bryne Leggett, who took a two-hitter into the sixth, gave up a leadoff double to Huyler. With one out, Leggett hit Tom Smythe, and Jon Martin singled in the first run. Keith Laszlo doubled in two runs and Leggett was replaced by Dean Martinez.

Martinez walked three consecutive batters, including James Buccheri, to force in the fourth run of the inning. Huyler then followed with a double to drive in two and give Golden West a 6-5 lead.

Golden West (15-9) added two runs in the seventh. Smythe hit a ground ball that went through shortstop Shetland’s legs for an error and Martin followed with single.

The runners moved up on a wild pitch by Martinez, and Terry Reichert doubled in both to give Golden West an 8-5 lead.

Saddleback (13-14) rallied for two runs in the eighth. Shetland walked and Carl Watkins followed with a bunt single. Donny Harrell doubled home one run and Rick Bonner had a sacrifice fly to score the other.

Thobe got the final out on a strikeout of Mark Williamson. Thobe gave up 12 hits had 3 walks and had 6 strikeouts in the victory.

In another Saddleback tournament game:

Saddleback 7, San Diego City 5--San Diego City led, 5-1, going into the top of the ninth. But Nick Nikolenko doubled with the bases loaded to drive in three runs and tie the score, 5-5. Jason Nigro later doubled in two runs for the victory, sending the Gauchos into the title game.

At the Channel Coast tournament:

Rancho Santiago 19, Consumis River 3--Bob Hamelin hit his 16th home run of the season, a school record, and went 5 for 5 with 4 runs scored and 5 RBIs to lead Rancho Santiago (23-3) to a victory in the championship game at Santa Barbara City College.