Saddleback Stays Alive with 10-8 Win Over San Joaquin Delta

Bakersfield, Calif. –  The Saddleback Bobcats picked up their second victory of the day, advancing as one of the final four teams alive in the 2026 3C2A Softball State Championships, beating San Joaquin Delta 10-8 on Friday in an elimination game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Bobcats looked dead in the water, allowing three runs in the top of the first inning without recording an out. Colette Howren came in and stopped the bleeding, recording a strikeout then inducing a double-play ball to short.

Saddleback got a pair of runs back in the first on a Ka'ui Garcia double, then a successful squeeze bunt attempt from Howren. 

Delta came right back to work on offense in the second, however, stifling the Bobcat comeback with a pair of their own. Daniella Hunter and Kiki Mazza, who combined to drive in five runs, each picked up an RBI in the frame. The Mustangs went scoreless until the fifth inning after tacking on five early runs.

The dry spell opened an opportunity for the Bobcats who scored seven unanswered runs in the middle innings. It was four in the second, then three in the fourth – building a 9-5 lead – for a team that's now 2-0 in loser's bracket games.

As the Mustangs brought the game to one, Ehva Cifuentes-Zombulovic delivered a much-needed insurance run with a solo-shot to left center, that scorched off her bat on line – bringing the Saddleback faithful to life in the stands and giving Howren the confidence to close out the seventh inning unscathed.

STAND OUT PERFORMERS/NOTES

• Howren pitched seven innings of relief, while striking out five

• Millie Maher was a force at the top of the lineup, scoring three runs for the Bobcats, stealing two bags

• Garcia went 3-for-6 on the day with three RBI, a homer and three XBH in both games combined

UP NEXT

Saddleback posts a 2-0 day to advance through the loser's bracket to face the winner of Cosumnes River and Santa Rosa at 8 p.m. The Mustangs ended their season 33-12 and went 0-2 after winning their first-round game on Thursday.

Courtesy of Joe Perrino, 3CFCA SID