BASEBALL: HORNETS FLY OVER FALCONS

In a non-conference game, the Hornets hosted Cerritos College and won in a barn-burner 16-14.

Before the start of the game, a moment of silence was held in honor of former Hornet catcher Nick O'Loughlin (2009-10), who was killed by a drunk driver on Saturday night while driving home early Sunday morning from his job as a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy.

Cerritos brought the first run in the top of the first on a fielder's choice by Cody Ahrens that scored Alejandro Bueno. The Falcons added another run on a throwing error that allowed Ahrens to cross home plate from third base.

The Hornets got on the board in the bottom of the second. Tony Accordino got it started slamming a triple to right center field. Josh Sanchez came up next hammering a double off of the right center ivy (roughly 2 feet from going out) that scored Accordino. FC went up 3-2 on a double to right center by Ryan Penalber that brought Diego Black and Sanchez home.

Cerritos tied the game up at 3 apiece in the third. Bueno's triple to center field led it off. Trevor McInerney came up next knocking a grounder up the middle scoring Bueno.

It did not look good for the Hornets in the top of the fourth as the Falcons blew up for 6 runs, but Fullerton fired back dropping down 9 of their own. Accordino's 3-run homer over the left field ivy was the highlight of the inning. When the dust cleared, FC was up 12-9. Accordino (3 for 5 at the plate) nearly hit for the cycle missing the elusive double.

In the fifth, Cerritos grabbed the lead back at 13-12 scoring 4 runs. A throwing error while trying to turn a double play scored Bueno, a fielder's choice from Alvarez scored McInerney, Hartog's single to center scored Michael Gonzalez, and a single by Roberto Salazar Jr. brought Alavarez in.

Fullerton, once again, answered back scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the fifth to go back up 14-13. Stephens hit a liner to left center scoring Monte Montenegro, and Black hit another liner to left allowing Sanchez to cross home plate.

In the top of six, the Falcons tied it up again on a deep SAC Fly to center by Gonzalez scoring Bueno from third.

The Hornets took a 16-14 advantage in the seventh when Black hit a shot to right field that was errored scoring Sanchez and Accordino. The final innings belonged to FC as they held the Falcons scoreless for the win.

Taed Heydinger got the start throwing 3.2 innings with 5 earned runs against. He had 4 strikeouts and 4 walks. Jacob Baca came in for an inning allowing 2 hits, 1 walk and no earned runs. Claiming the win for the Hornets, Patrick Showalter tossed 5 solid innings with 3 earned runs against. He also had 3 strikeouts and a walk.

Up Next: The Hornets (3-6 overall) will face off against Long Beach City College this Thursday, February 21st at LBCC. The first pitch goes out at 2:00 pm.

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