Saddleback Victorious in Third-Straight Elimination Game

Bakersfield, Calif. –  The Saddleback Bobcats handily defeated the Santa Rosa Bear Cubs 9-2 on Saturday at Bakersfield College, moving on to face San Mateo with a chance at reaching the 2026 3C2A Softball State Championship Game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After a first inning two-run home run from Santa Rosa's Mia Avila, it was all Bobcats, scoring nine unanswered to notch the convincing victory.

Ka'ui Garcia continued her tear in the state tournament, going 3-for-3 at the plate with a walk, blasting a two-run homer and driving in four runs. Now hitting .471 on the season with six homers, Garcia is 6-for-9 in the Bobcats' three elimination games with two homers. Her homer evened the score at two in the bottom of the first.

The Bobcats kept it rolling, scoring once more in the second, twice in the third, fourth and sixth. Ka'ui Garcia drove in runs in the third and fourth, but before that, Tessa Arciniega drove in a run with a sac fly then Mikayla Mendoza blasted an RBI double to left, and with some heads up base running, advanced to third on the throw home. She scored a batter later on Ka'ui Garcia's sac fly.

Some Bobcat baserunning helped them score later in the game, a double steal with Maher and Mendoza forced an errand throw, bringing Maher home, then set up another Ka'ui Garcia RBI opportunity with a single through the five hole. 

Lehua Garcia was the only other Bobcat with a multi-hit game, but seven Bobcats reached base safely via at least one base hit. Mille Maher continues to be a catalyst at the top of Saddleback's lineup, she scored three runs, walked twice, stole two bases while going 1-for-2 at the dish.

STAND OUT PERFORMERS/NOTES

• Colette Howren had arguably her best start of the tournament, allowing just three hits and two runs in a complete game victory

• Saddleback struck out just twice in the win

• The Bobcats have won three-straight elimination games after falling in game one

UP NEXT

Saddleback moves on to face San Mateo in a win-or-go-home game with a trip to the championship game on the line. Gametime is 6 p.m. tonight.

Courtesy of Joe Perrino, 3CFCA SID