SFT: Vaqueros brings big bats to start Bash at Beach

SBCC did plenty of bashing in a 12-7 softball win over El Camino on Saturday in the Bash at the Beach but couldn’t find their offense against Fullerton.

The Vaqueros snapped a 7-7 tie by scoring five times in the sixth at Pershing Park. Alyssa Felipe pitched a four-hitter in the second game, leading Fullerton to a 4-1 win over the Vaqueros.

Santa Barbara (14-13) rallied from an early 4-0 deficit in the first game. Amanda Caras went 3-4 with three runs and two RBIs. Victoria Lucido, Alice Cen, Brianna Portese and Alexandra Abbott all had two hits. All nine Vaqueros had at least one hit as they racked up a season-high 15 hits.

“We were down at first, then we came back because we were aggressive,” said Caras, a sophomore second baseman. “I usually bat fifth and I was in the fourth spot today. I knew I had to get the job done.

“The Fullerton pitcher was good but nothing we shouldn’t have been able to hit. We came out a little flat.”

Alyssa Felipe pitched a four-hitter for the Hornets (14-13) and Breana Pineda hit her third homer of the day with a solo shot leading off the sixth.

Fullerton, which beat Chaffey 7-1 in its first game, and Saddleback were the only teams to go 2-0 on the first day of the eight-team tourney.

Shannon Kelly went 2-3 for the Vaqueros in the second game and Celeste Acosta allowed four runs but only one was earned. Acosta struck out five and walked none.

“I don’t know what it is about this team but we just can’t seem to win two games in a day,” said coach Paula Congleton. “We have to get more than four hits if we expect to win. Their pitcher threw a heavy ball and we told our players to drive the barrel through the ball.

“We did hit some balls hard but they were right at people.”

Eight more games are scheduled for Sunday, starting with two at 9 a.m. The Vaqueros will take on Golden West at 10:45 a.m. and East L.A. at 2:15 p.m.

SBCC Bash at the Beach
Day 1
Saddleback 3, East L.A. 2
L.A. Valley 11, Golden West 3 (6 innings)
SBCC 12, El Camino 7
Fullerton 7, Chaffey 1
Saddleback 4, L.A. Valley 3
East L.A. 8, Golden West 0 (6 innings)
Fullerton 4, SBCC 1
El Camino 7, Chaffey 3

Standings – Saddleback 2-0, Fullerton 2-0, SBCC 1-1, L.A. Valley 1-1, East L.A. 1-1, El Camino 1-1, Golden West 0-2, Chaffey 0-2.