The 2008 season came to an end Friday, May 2, as the visiting Fullerton College Hornets defeated the Gauchos 13-11.  The loss prevented Saddleback from entering the Southern California playoffs (the Gauchos have been to the playoffs 14 times in the past 19 seasons under Coach Hodges), as 2007 defending State Champion Riverside College and Saddleback tied for fifth in the always tough Orange Empire Conference.  Riverside won the season series between the two schools and therefore entered the playoffs as the conference’s fifth place team.

Saddleback finished the season 23-21, which marks the 16th straight season with a winning record. 

Offensively, Saddleback outhit their opponents with a team batting average of .303 to .276.  This is the 17th straight season the Gauchos have hit over .300 as a team.  Along the way, the team averaged seven runs and eleven hits per game, outscoring their opponents 305 runs to 247, and collecting 475 hits to the opponent’s 412.  Mike Cole led all hitters with a .408 average, amassing 73 hits in 44 games, including 16 doubles and two home runs.  Colin Rooney was a close second, hitting .371 overall (with 43 RBIs) and .415 in  the  conference.   Other Starters  hitting over .300 for the year included Max  Kirk (.344),  Chad Richardson (.342--and a team leading eight home runs and 44 RBIs), Brandon Loftus (.329) and Erik Mura (.310).  Starting catcher Max Burnett was close at .295.  Leadoff hitter Loftus had an amazing season in which he broke the school record for being hit-by-pitches (28) while  walking 19 times and stealing 24 bases.  He also led the team in runs scored with 48.

The pitching staff also had a commendable year with a 4.02 ERA compared to their opponent’s 5.60 ERA.  Robbie Ross led all pitchers with six wins, 21 appearances, 13 starts, and 90.2 innings pitched.  He had a very respectable 3.33 ERA.  Josh Brayley also pitched in 21 games, won four, pitched 52 innings with a team leading 63 strikeouts, and,  had a 3.96 ERA.  Opponents hit only .212 against him.  Zac Johnston won four games while appearing in 19.  He pitched 58 innings while striking out 42.  Following closely in appearances--Rich Kemp (18), Drew Jacobson (17 and three wins), Ryan Aguera (16 with two wins), James Condon (14 and two wins), and Joe Richardson (11).  The Gaucho staff threw one of only four shutouts in the Orange Empire Conference--a 15-0 victory over Golden West.

Pitcher Robbie Ross, Outfielder Mike Cole, and Infielder Colin Rooney were named to the Orange Empire All Conference team.

Team awards went to co-Most Valuable Players Mike Cole and Brandon Loftus.  Co-Most Valuable Pitchers were Robbie Ross and Zac Johnston.  Picked as team captains were Mike Cole and Max Burnett.  The Coaches award went to Nick McManus.