BASEBALL: HORNETS TAKE SERIES OVER IVC

Fullerton clinched the Orange Empire Conference season-series against Irvine Valley at home Saturday afternoon defeating the Lasers 6-3.

The Lasers took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning on a groundout to second by Zack Stack that allowed Bret McConnell to come home from third.

Irvine Valley made it 2-0 in the second inning when Ryan Santa Cruz hit a single to left field that scored Grant Rockefeller from second base.

The Hornets got one back in the bottom of the second scoring on a single to right field from Monte Montenegro that brought in Chase Kerr from second base.

FC broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth. The bases were loaded with one out, and Jake Anderson ripped a single that bounced over the third baseman's head scoring Montgomery. Then, Jesse Hayes hit one deep to right field for a SAC fly scoring Angel Lopez giving Fullerton a 3-2 lead.

The Hornets added to their lead scoring three runs in in the sixth going up 6-2. Montenegro hit a single up the middle scoring Ivan Ramos scored. With the bases loaded Thomas Delgadillo was then hit by a pitch forcing Ryan Stephens across home plate. Ryan Aguirre reached on a fielder's choice scoring Montenegro.

The Lasers got a run back in the top of seven on a Fullerton error giving Brett Long the chance to score from third base.

FC starting pitcher Sean Henry (4-1) grabbed the win going 6 innings with 2 earned runs, 1 walk, and 2 strikeouts. Michael Covelli and Gerardo Ramirez both went an inning allowing a hit each. Kevin Foley came in to close and locked down his third save of the season.  

The win keeps Fullerton in first place. They are now tied with Orange Coast College in the Orange Empire Conference after OCC took two from Saddleback in the series this past week.

Up Next: Fullerton (16-14, 8-4) will open a three-game series at Orange Coast College on Tuesday, April 10th. Game time is at 2:00 pm.

EXTRA ARTICLE PIECE RELATED TO THE GAME BY THE OC REGISTER

*Photos by Jim McCormack