COMMUNITY COLLEGE BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Six-Run Ninth Carries Saddleback Past Palomar, 18-14

Saddleback scored six runs in the ninth inning to defeat Palomar, 18-14, Saturday in a nonconference baseball game at Palomar. The same teams played to a 1-1 tie Friday.

Neil Garcia’s two-run single was the key hit of the inning for the Gauchos (1-0-1), who trailed, 14-12, entering the ninth.

Chris Sauritch hit a grand slam in the Gauchos’ seven-run sixth inning and had seven RBIs. Robert Garcia, who drove in five runs, also hit a home run in the sixth inning.

In the Rancho Santiago tournament:

Rancho Santiago Splits--The Dons (2-1) advanced in the double-elimination tournament with a 17-1 victory over Moorpark as David Gonzalez drove in five runs, three with a fifth-inning homer.

Rancho Santiago had 19 hits, including five doubles and two triples. The Raiders made nine errors.

Mike Fontana (1-0) picked up the victory, striking out 11 in seven innings, while allowing three hits and two walks.

Earlier, Long Beach City defeated Rancho Santiago, 5-2. The two teams meet again at 11 a.m. today. A Rancho Santiago victory would force a second game for the title.

In the College of the Desert Tournament:

Cypress 9, Victor Valley 4--Abijah Alastra drove in three runs with a second-inning single and Charles Gibson hit a two-run homer in the fourth for Cypress in a championship quarterfinal.

Todd Blyleven (1-0) picked up the victory, allowing seven hits and two runs in seven innings while striking out eight.

In the Fullerton/Cerritos tournament:

Fullerton Splits--The Hornets lost to the Cal State Fullerton junior varsity, 9-4, but rebounded to rout San Mateo, 13-5 to stay alive in the tournament at Fullerton College.

Sal Mancuso went three for five with a double, a triple and a homer in the victory over San Mateo. Jason Diplock was three for four in both games, with three RBIs in the second. Fullerton (2-1) will play L.A. Harbor in the losers’ bracket today at 10 a.m.