HORNET OFFENSE STAYS HOT - DON HUDSON GAME ON SATURDAY

With the rainy week ahead, the Hornets moved game one of their OEC series with Orange Coast College to Monday at John Altobelli Ballpark and won it 10-5.

The win marks the 9th time that Fullerton has scored in double-digits this season. FC's high-powered offense is currently 3rd in the state for runs scored at 216 with only Mt. SAC (217) and Ohlone (256) ahead at this portion of the season.

In the top of the first, the Hornets took advantage of two SAC Flies for a 2-0 lead. Dillon Anderson flew out to right scoring Nate Pone and Luke Viola flew out to center allowing Jake Larson to hustle home.

The Pirates tied the game up in the bottom of the first on hits by Tyler Covington and Gibson Rath. OCC proceeded to take the lead in the third inning scoring two more runs thanks to hits by Dylan Krause and Flynn Barnes.

Down 4-2 heading into the fifth, Fullerton worked in two runs to tie the game up. Nate Pone ripped a single to the left side scoring Noah Rodriguez and Luke Viola reached first on an OCC error allowing Diego Vazquez to cross home plate.

The Hornet bats awoke taking over the game in the seventh and eighth innings scoring 5 runs for a 9-4 lead. Jake Starr got on from a fielder's choice giving Jake Larson the chance to score, and Hunter Billingsly hit a shot to center plating Dillon Anderson. In the eighth, Jake Larson hit a 3-run homer over the left field fence.

In the top of the ninth FC added an insurance run when Nate Pone hit into a fielder's choice scoring Jake Starr. In the bottom of the ninth, the Pirates got one more run across on Zach Boynton's double to right center plating Flynn Barnes.

Eddie Garcia got the start throwing 1.2 innings with 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, and 1 K. Manny Lopez earned the win for Fullerton going 4.1 innings with no hits, no runs, no walks, and had 4 Ks. Will Valenzuela came in to throw 2 innings with 2 hits, had a run scored, 2 walks and 2 Ks. Enrique Hernandez came in to record the final out of the game.

Up Next: The Hornets (12-11 overall, 2-2 OEC) will look to play game two of the conference series this Friday back at Orange Coast at 2:00 pm (weather permitting). The third and final game with the Pirates will be played at Fullerton College on Saturday, March 15th. It is the 1st Annual Don Hudson Scholarship Game. Come out and cheer for longtime supporter of baseball Don Hudson as he throws out the first pitch at 11:45 AM.