SOFTBALL: JUST OUT OF REACH

The FC softball team hosted #3 in state Palomar College for their season opener on Wednesday and fell in a tight battle 5-3.

Helping to get the season started, Fullerton College President Dr. Rajen Vurdien tossed out the first pitch, but the Comets made their own statement in the first inning when 3B Iesha Hill hit a solo bomb over the right field ivy.

The score remained 1-0 until Fullerton made their move in the 3rd inning scoring three runs. With the bases loaded, 1B Celina Sanchez scored on a balk. LF Jillian Saiza scored the next run on a SAC fly by RF Desiree Lopez. DP Erin Molina then hit a double to right field allowing pitcher Brigid Ruiz to cross the plate.

With a healthy 3-1 lead heading into the 5th, Palomar chipped away scoring a run on 2B Brooke Huddleson's single that ripped through the left side scoring CF Keilani Fronda.

Heading into the top of the 7th with a 3-2 lead, the Hornet defensive ripped apart from the seams allowing three Comet runs. Fronda singled to left center scoring LF Summer Evans to tie the game up 3-3. Palomar then took the lead on a miscommunication error on a short infield pop-up that allowed Fronda to score. Pitcher Maci Lerno singled through the left side knocking in SS Kali Pugh for Palomar's fifth run of the game.

FC could not get it done in their final at-bat stranding two runners on first and second.

Despite taking the loss FC pitcher Brigid Ruiz (0-1) tossed a good game going 7 innings with 3 earned runs, with 1 walk, and 4 strikeouts.

Up Next: The Hornets (0-1) will play in the College of the Desert Tournament this weekend.

*Photo by Matt Brown