Hamelin Hits 27th Homer, but Saddleback Wins, 14-5

Bobby Hamelin hit a home run in the fifth inning, but Saddleback College defeated Rancho Santiago, 14-5, Saturday in the final regular-season Orange Empire Conference baseball game Saturday at Rancho Santiago.

Hamelin, a left-handed hitting sophomore transfer from UCLA, ends the regular season with two state records: 27 home runs and 94 RBIs. He hit 10 homers in his last 10 games for Rancho Santiago, which had clinched the conference title Thursday with a 6-3 victory over Cypress.

Bill Lasher hit a grand slam in the fourth for Saddleback (17-24 overall, 6-13 in conference play), which scored seven runs in the inning. Chris Latham hit a two-run home run in the fifth and Donny Harrell added a two-run homer in the sixth. Danny Blancett (4-4) pitched a complete game for the victory.

Rich Gonzales had four hits, including his third and fourth home runs of the season, for Rancho Santiago (34-7, 16-4).