Cardiel Powers Golden West to Softball Win

Golden West’s Jill Cardiel drove in the tying and winning runs in the eighth after hitting a pitch during an attempted intentional walk to give the host Rustlers a 4-3 victory over Orange Coast in an Orange Empire Conference softball game Friday.

The Rustlers were trailing, 3-2, with runners at second and third when Cardiel--who had a 3-0 count--swung at the fourth pitch by Jennifer Phelps and drove it into right field to win the game for Golden West (15-5, 7-2).

The loss dropped Orange Coast to 8-13, 0-9.

In other Orange Empire Conference games:

Cypress 9, Riverside 0 (5, mercy)--Cypress (25-2, 9-0) won its 17th consecutive game and got its fourth straight shutout. Gillian Tantardini hit a two-run double in the first inning and finished two for two with a walk and three RBIs. Michelle Bailon had two doubles and scored three runs.

Starting pitcher Mandy Rockwell struck out four as she improved to 14-2.

Saddleback 1, Irvine Valley 0 (9)--Jennifer Sutherland scored on Jackie Shammas’ two-out infield single to win the game. Saddleback is 15-6, 6-3. Tara Kroener struck out 13 for Saddleback and improved to 12-4. Brandy Marcus doubled twice for Irvine Valley (4-14, 2-7).

Santa Ana 1, Fullerton 0--Erica Pilkington tripled with two outs in the second inning and scored on Jessina Steadman’s RBI single for Santa Ana. Jennifer Hunt started the game and combined with Pilkington on a two-hit shutout.

In Orange Empire Conference men’s volleyball:

Golden West 3, Mt. San Antonio 0--Scott Lane (13 kills) and Casey Jennings (11 kills) led host Golden West to a 15-4, 15-8, 15-10, victory.