GAME RECAP: Nilsen’s 3 Run Homer Lifts the Bobcats as Saddleback sweeps Irvine Valley

by Isabella Lyons

On Saturday, March 29, 2025, the Irvine Valley Lasers hosted the Saddleback Bobcats in the third game of their series at Irvine Valley College. The Bobcats came out swinging, taking an early lead in the first inning when Andreas Nilsen crushed a three-run homer, scoring Jacob Beauchaine and Matthew Deutsch, who had both reached base earlier. This gave Saddleback a 3-0 advantage. The Lasers were unable to respond in the bottom of the first, and the second inning passed quietly with neither team adding to the scoreboard.

In the top of the third, Saddleback’s Junior Barajas singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but the Bobcats couldn’t capitalize further. The Lasers showed signs of life in the bottom of the third when Josh Gutierrez and Cole Lefebvre reached base via a single and a walk, respectively. However, Irvine Valley stranded both runners, keeping the score at 3-0.

The fourth inning brought more action. Saddleback’s Matthew Deutsch singled and stole second, though the Bobcats again failed to score. For the Lasers, Sam Tucci singled to reach first, and Shaun McCaghren followed with a single, advancing Tucci to third. Connor Gomez then drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. Saddleback’s pitcher, Dmitri Susidko, buckled down, inducing a groundout from Aaron Serrato to escape the jam. The score remained 3-0 at the end of the fourth.

In the top of the fifth, Saddleback’s Hayden Carlson singled to center, but the Bobcats couldn’t convert. Susidko singled as well but was quickly erased on a fielder’s choice. Andres Hernandez reached on an error, yet Saddleback still couldn’t push a run across. The Lasers finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth. Shaun McCaghren doubled to left, and Aaron Serrato singled, putting runners on first and second. Waylon Pipia then singled, driving in McCaghren to cut the deficit to 3-1. Serrato advanced to second, but the inning ended with the Lasers still trailing.

The seventh inning saw defensive highlights. Saddleback retired McCaghren at second after he attempted to stretch a single, then turned a double play to catch Josh Gutierrez heading to second and Cole Lefebvre moving to first, ending the Lasers’ threat. In the top of the eighth, the Bobcats extended their lead. Jacob Beauchaine doubled and scored on Andreas Nilsen’s single, making it 4-1. Nilsen advanced to second on a wild pitch and was replaced by Bryson Hoier, and Matthew Deutsch followed it up with a double. Inning would end though as Sam Tucci threw out Bryson Hoier at the plate.

Nilsen led the Bobcats, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs, while Deutsch also contributed, finishing 2-for-4 with a run scored. For the Lasers, McCaghren went 2-for-4 with a run, and Pipia drove in a run. Saddleback’s pitching staff, led by starter Jace Barajas (7.0 innings, 1 run) and Jack Wade (2.0 innings), outdueled Irvine Valley’s Jackson Chastain, who took the loss after allowing four runs over 6.0 innings.

With the 4-1 victory, Saddleback swept the Irvine Valley Lasers in the three-game series, improving to 18-10 overall and 4-5 in the Orange Empire Conference. The Bobcats will look to carry their momentum into next week when they face the Orange Coast Pirates. Meanwhile, Irvine Valley, now 13-15 overall and 0-9 in conference play, will aim to rebound against the Cypress Chargers in their upcoming series.