BASEBALL: ACTION JACKSON

FC's Oliver Jackson delivered the winning hit in a must-win game to defeat Irvine Valley College 3-2 at home Thursday.

Down 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth, RF KC Huth tied the game up on a single to right field that allowed CF Dakota Wix to score from second base.

In the ninth, the Hornets came very close to sealing the game when Jackson opened up with a triple to right center. With no outs, LF James Smith and 3B Oscar Heredia loaded the bases after being intentionally walked. DH Vince Venegas reached on a fielder's choice in which Jackson was forced out at home. With one out and the bases loaded, the Lasers escaped the inning on a 6-4-3 double play.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the eleventh when Jackson hit a hard shot that got past IVC's right fielder allowing pinch runner Kodi Diamond to cross the plate for the walk-off win.

The Hornets ended their season just missing the playoffs with a very respectable overall record of 22-14. Only three teams were selected out of the strong Orange Empire Conference (Orange Coast, Santa Ana, and Saddleback).

*Photo by Ricardo Zapata