GETTING ONE FROM CYPRESS

The Hornets wrapped up their three-game series with cross-town rival Cypress College at home Saturday and got one back from the Chargers 17-8.

Fullerton dropped the first two games against Cypress earlier in the week 10-6 and 10-1 but got a game back on Saturday with a needed win to open conference.

FC fell behind 2-0 after the first inning but dropped three runs on the Chargers after their chance at bat in the bottom of the first. Nate Pone scored on a wild pitch after getting hit by a pitch. Cole Sheppard then knocked a single to center field scoring two runners in Trevor Schmidt and Jake Larson.

The Chargers tied the game up in the top of the third sneaking in a run from a walk with the bases loaded, but Fullerton pumped in three more runs for a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the third. With bases loaded, worked the count for a walk forcing Trevor Schmidt in from third. Noah Rodriguez hit a SAC Fly to deep right giving Dillon Anderson the chance to rush home, and Diego Vazquez singled on a bunt allowing Jake Starr to come home.

Fullerton added another run for a 7-3 advantage in the fifth inning on a SAC Fly to center by Nate Pone that gave Noah Rodriguez the opportunity to cruise home.

Cypress got three runs back in the top of the sixth cutting FC's lead down 7-6. Luke Matlock rocked a double to left center scoring Evan Rolbiecki and Travis Curry. Then, Braden Ruiz pulled an RBI hitting a SAC fly to shallow right field that allowed Dustin Robinson to sprint home from third.

Dillon Anderson came up with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh and hit a line drive to shallow center scoring Noah Rodriguez. Luke Viola came up hitting a single to right center plating two runners in Trevor Schmidt and Jake Larson. Anderson came across for the Hornets on a wild pitch and Jake Starr hit a single to center scoring Viola that gave Fullerton a healthy 12-6 lead.

The Hornets put the game away in the eighth adding five more runs for a hefty 17-6 lead. Nate Pone hit a single to right field scoring Noah Rodriguez. Trevor Schmidt popped a singled to left plating Diego Vazquez, and Dillon Anderson walked with the bases juiced forcing Pone home. Jake Larson came across on a groundout by Luke Viola and Schmidt scored on a groundout by Jake Starr.

The Chargers managed two more runs in the top of the ninth before Enrique Hernandez struck out the final batter securing the FC victory. Sage Nelson got the start for the Hornets going 4 solid innings with 2 earned runs, 5 hits, 5 walks, and 1 K. Will Valenzuela earned the win throwing 1.1 innings with 2 earned runs, 1 walk, and 2 Ks. Christian Valent tossed 1.2 scoreless innings with no hits and 2 Ks. 

Six Fullerton players had multi-hit games in Nate Pone (2-4), Trevor Schmidt (2-4), Dillon Anderson (2-4), Luke Viola (2-4), Noah Rodriguez (2-3), and Diego Vazquez (2-3). In all, the Hornets amassed 14 hits, 15 RBI, and 8 walks.

Up Next: The Hornets (11-11 overall, 1-2 OEC) will begin a new OEC series at Orange Coast College on Tuesday, March 11th. The first pitch goes out at 2:00 pm.

*Photo by Alessandro Adajar