GAME ONE OF THE 1ST ROUND A SUCCESS

In game one of the 1st Round of the SoCal Regionals, the No. 13 FC baseball squad did not hold back pounding the No. 12 Panthers 7-1.

The last time FC made the playoffs was in 2016 (Super Regionals), and the Hornets were hungry for a win scoring two runs in the first inning. Orange Empire Conference Player of the Year Britton Beeson got it going early ripping a double to right center scoring Tank Espalin and Niko Santamaria.

In the fourth, Elie Kligman helped Fullerton to 3-0 lead hitting a SAC Fly to left field allowing Beeson to come in from third.

In the sixth inning, Beeson hurt the Panthers again crushing a solo shot (his 12th/6th consecutive) over left field. 

FC added two more runs in the seventh taking a 6-0 lead. Diego Franco knocked a single to the right-side plating Landon Runge, and Isiah Marquez walked with the bases loaded forcing Jared Benash across home plate. 

Beeson put up one more run in the seventh taking home on a wild pitch.

Chaffey's lone run came in the bottom of the seventh on Clay Porter's sacrifice fly to left that scored Zach Kim.

Freddy Castaneda (7-4) earned the win throwing 6.2 innings with 5 hits against, 1 earned run, had 3 walks, and 6 strikeouts. Vincent Segovia finished off the remainder of the game going 2.1 innings with just a hit against, no earned runs, no walks, and had 2 K's.

Up Next: The Hornets (22-19 overall) will head back to Chaffey College for game two of the SoCal Regionals on Saturday, May 6th at 12:00 pm. Game three (if needed) will follow soon after game two.

*Photo by Matt Brown