Irvine Valley's baseball team was shut out by Saddleback for the second time this week, losing to the Gauchos, 1-0, in an Orange Empire Conference game at home on Thursday.
Saddleback improved its record to 14-7 overall and 6-3 in conference, while Irvine Valley fell to 6-15 overall and 2-7 in conference.
With the win, Saddleback won the season series over Irvine Valley, taking two of three games.
Saddleback starting pitcher Anthony Shew and Irvine Valley's Chris Lumanlan matched each other just about pitch for pitch the entire way.
The Gauchos scored the lone run of the game in the top of the second inning. It was unearned.
After an out, Cullen reached on an IVC error. Casey Worden then singled through the left side and Cullen moved to third base.
When IVC's throw in from the outfield got away, Cullen scored.
Each team left seven runners on base in the game.
Irvine Valley out-hit Saddleback, 7-5.
Shew pitched nine innings and allowed seven hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. He improved his record to 5-0 on the season.
Lumanlan's record dropped to 2-4. But he threw one of his better outings of the season. He gave up five hits and one run (unearned). Lumanlan walked two batters and struck out three.
Slate Miller was 2 for 4 to lead Saddleback at the plate, while sophomore shortstop Dallas Porter was 2 for 3 with a walk and sophomore left fielder Matt Harris went 2 for 4 for the Lasers.
Harris also made an impressive lunging catch, while crashing into the left field wall in the game.
Irvine Valley plays again Saturday at Cypress at noon.
