SANTA ANA - After falling behind 7-3 going into the sixth inning, the Dons rallied for three runs but failed to get the equalizing run across in their 7-6 loss to Saddleback College.

The loss is the second for the Dons (13-6, 3-4) against Saddleback (9-6, 4-5) this season as the Gauchos grabbed a 7-2 victory at Saddleback earlier this season.

The Gauchos jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, aided by a Dons error. McRae Cayton tripled in Tori Duquette before scoring on a RBI single by Syd Abounassar. The Gauchos final run of the inning came when Sarah DiTommasso singled in Abounassar.

The Dons quickly cut the lead to just one run with one swing of the bat when Sabrina Perez hit a two-run home run. Vanessa Moreno, who doubled earlier in the inning, scored on the home run.

Mina Pavao helped tied the game up at 3-3 in the third inning when she reached on an error, allowing Alexandra Perkins to score from third base.

The Gauchos would reclaim the lead in the fifth inning when the Dons committed two errors on one play, allowing Christina Pantages to score from second base. Saddleback added two more runs in the sixth inning before scoring what would be the insurance run in the seventh inning.

The Dons seventh-inning rally started with back-to-back walks issued to Moreno and Devon Rodriguez. Perez followed with her second home run of the game, pulling the Dons within one at 7-6. However, the Dons next three batters were retired in order to end the game.

Chantal Oelrich (7-5) took the loss for the Dons as she allowed seven runs, four earned, on 10 hits over seven innings. Tiffany McCracken (5-2) held on for the win, allowing six runs, five earned, on seven hits over seven innings.