DAY 2 STATE TOURNAMENT: FC BOUNCES OVER SAN MATEO

On Friday, the No. 1 (south) FC softball team straight-armed No. 2 (north) San Mateo for a close 3-2 victory advancing the Hornets to the 3C2A State semifinal game.

Fullerton will be tested on Saturday when the team takes on the No. 1 team from the north in San Joaquin Delta after the Mustangs blanked No. 2 (south) Cypress 3-0.

The Hornets got the day started scoring the game's first two runs in the third inning when Orange Empire Conference MVP Jordan Elias smacked a single to left field that scored Milene Mendoza. Soon after, Haley Garcia hit a single to center field that brought in Elias.

The Bulldogs barked back in the top of the fourth to tie the game up 2-2 on Megan Barstad's single that plated Ari Williams. Luda Gumataota then crushed a triple to right field that scored Barstad.

The deciding run came in the bottom of the fifth when the Hornets Alyssa Garcia dialed in a single to left field that gave the speedy Haley Garcia the chance to rush home.

Fast forward to the top of the seventh when FC was doing its best to hold on to its narrow 3-2 advantage. Two outs were on the board and Michelle Hara was standing at first for San Mateo. Ariana Montiel came up to the plate hammering a deep ground-rule double that bounced over the left center field fence that kept Hara on third. Needing the final out, Allyson Fuentes did what FC coaches ordered- got the final out on a foul ball caught by Veronica Moore.

Like Macy Brandl yesterday, Fuentes earned her first save of the season going 1.1 innings with a hit against and a walk. Newly appointed Tucci NFCA Pitcher of the Year Brandl (22-3) put in a solid pitching effort going 5.1 innings, had 5 hits against, 2 runs against, and no walks.

Offensively Haley Garcia led the team going 3 for 3 at the plate, had a run, and RBI. Alyssa Garcia went 2 for 2 with a walk and RBI.

Up Next: The No. 1 (south) Hornets will play against the No. 1 (north) San Joaquin Delta on Saturday, May 18th at West Valley College. The battle of the state's No. 1's will take place at high noon.

3C2A Softball State Championship Headquarters.

*Photo by 3C2A Sports Information Office