GAME RECAP: Saddleback Tosses Third No-Hitter in Program History, Blanks Lasers 6-0 to Open Series

by Justin Ganz

IRVINE, CA — The Saddleback Bobcats kicked off their Orange Empire Conference schedule with a 6-0 rout of the Irvine Valley College Lasers on Tuesday at Irvine Valley College Baseball Field, highlighted by the third no-hitter in program history.

Saddleback, now 2-5 and seventh in the conference standings, handed eighth-place IVC (0-7) its seventh consecutive conference loss. This victory marked the first of three scheduled meetings between the rivals this season, with the Bobcats having won two of three against the Lasers last year.

Sophomore pitcher Jack Gallison set the tone, tossing five perfect innings in his first start of the season. He struck out six without allowing a hit, run, walk, or error. Relievers Jack Wade and Andrew Padova closed out the no-hitter and shutout over the final four innings. It was Saddleback’s first no-hitter since February 1, 2023.

“First, I’ve got to thank Jack Wade and Andrew Padova for closing it out—it’s a combined no-hitter,” Gallison said. “And Junior [Rodrigo Barajas] behind the plate, my defense—I can’t do it without them. It’s pretty great to be part of something like this.”

IVC’s Tyler Eastham took the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings with one strikeout and one walk.

Bobcats head coach Sommer McCartney lauded the pitching effort. “Gallison was huge today—perfect through five in his first start,” McCartney said. “Wade and Padova came in right behind him, and we played solid defense. It’s a step in the right direction.”

Saddleback struck first in the third when right fielder Jacob Beauchain laced a grounder up the middle, scoring catcher Rodrigo Barajas from third to make it 1-0. Barajas delivered again in the fifth, hooking a two-run homer just inside the left-field foul pole to push the lead to 3-0. Later in the inning, center fielder James Derflinger tripled to center, driving in first baseman Andreas Nilsen to make it 4-0.

The Bobcats tacked on two more in the ninth. Beauchain lifted a sacrifice fly to right, scoring shortstop Hayden Carlson, and pinch hitter Michael Walshe drove in left fielder Dimitri Susidko from third to cap the scoring at 6-0.

The Lasers couldn’t solve Saddleback’s pitching trio, going hitless through nine innings as the Bobcats sealed the shutout.

Saddleback will host IVC for game two of the series on Thursday at 2 p.m. at Doug Fritz Field.