HORNETS PICK IT BACK UP

After a rough outing against Cypress on Wednesday, the FC softball squad showed its true colors on Friday taking down the Orange Coast College Pirates 7-5 on the road. 

It was a game where the Hornets showed some grit fighting back to score 2 runs in the seventh inning to win the Orange Empire Conference game. 

The FC victory puts the team at 11-8 (4th place) in the OEC standings, while the Pirate loss lands them at 8-11 (5th place) in the OEC. Currently, there is a three-way tie for first place with Santa Ana, Santiago Canyon, and Cypress sporting a 15-4 record. 

Four innings into Friday's game, the Hornets found themselves in hole losing 3-1. The lone Hornet run, to this point, came in the top of the first when Casey Dufrene smacked the ball to left field scoring Alendy Aguilar scored. 

The fifth inning proved to be all Fullerton as the team ripped off 2 runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take a 5-3 lead. Bella Morales knocked a single to left field cashing in Alyssa Haro and Dee Ramirez worked the count for a walk and RBI bringing in Rachel Varela. Casey Dufrene hit a shot to right field scoring Alendy Aguilar and Monique Rangel. 

In the bottom of the sixth, Gianna Gozo got on with a single to center field before Gillian Gordon slammed a two-run homer to right field that tied it all up 5-5. 

The Hornet were not done adding 2 runs for a 7-5 advantage. Casey Dufrene (5 RBI) struck again in the seventh inning punching a shot to deep left field that brought home Alendy Aguilar and Emily Maldonado. 

Olivia Nunez (5-4) earned the win holding off the Pirate threat with a 1-2-3 seventh inning. Nunez came in as reliever tossing 4.2 innings with 5 hits, 2 earned runs, no walks, and 3 K's.  FC starter Emily Flores went 2.1 innings with 6 hits against and 3 earned runs. 

Up Next: Fullerton (18-18-1 overall, 11-8 OEC) travels to Santiago Canyon College on Monday, April 18th for a big OEC match-up. Game time is at 3:00 pm.