BASEBALL: JUST A HIT AWAY

Fullerton played host to Santa Ana College to open a three-game Orange Empire Conference series on Tuesday and lost a close one 3-2.

Fullerton got on the board in the first inning scoring a run on a Joey Parente groundout to short stop that brought Thomas Delgadillo home for an unearned run.

The Dons evened up the score in the third when Bryan Leef hit a SAC fly to center field scoring Erick Leef.

The Hornets took back the lead on a SAC fly to center by Joey Parente that scored Daniel Tuerffs.

Santa Ana tied it up at two a piece on a hit to the left side by Adam Cendejas that scored Justin Mellano.

With the score stuck at 2-2 in the top of the eighth, the Dons broke it up on a single by Adam Cendejas that scored Justin Mellano.

Fullerton had a chance to take the game. Down 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, the Hornets put two on base. Daniel Tuerffs bunted to get on and Delgadillo hit a line drive to left. Ryan Aguirre hit a SAC bunt to put them both in scoring position. Joey Parente then walked to load the bases. John Zanze came up with one out and the bases loaded and then popped up to the Don's pitcher. Chase Kerr came up with two outs with all the bases occupied and hit one hard to SS Derek Riley, who scooped it up and made the throw to first for the final out of the game.

Garrett Molnar got the start and went 5 innings giving up 8 hits and only 2 earned runs. Jacob Manzur (0-1) took the loss despite throwing a good game. Manzur threw 4 innings allowing 1 hit, 1 earned run, and had 2 K's.

The Hornets had 11 hits on the day and left 11 runners stranded. Daniel Tuerffs (3-4/1 run), Joey Parente (2-3/2 RBI/), and Thomas Delgadillo (2-4/1 run) all had a multi-hit game.

Up Next: The Hornets (12-14 overall, 2-8 OEC) will head over to Santa Ana College for game two on Thursday, March 30th. Game time is at 2:00 pm.

Like us on Facebook!