BASEBALL: TWO JACKS BEAT A PAIR OF TWOS

The Hornets opened conference-play at home on Saturday afternoon with a 9-4 win over Golden West College.

The win lifts Fullerton to 11-2 overall and 1-0 in the Orange Empire Conference, while the Rustler loss bumps them to 10-4 overall and 0-1 in the OEC.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fifth when FC broke loose for 8 total runs. Josh Balbuena got it started knocking in Shane Carrier on a double to right center field. David Miranda hit one through the right side scoring Balbuena. Brett Halasz grounded out to second and Miranda scored in the throw. With the bases loaded, Austin O'Banion drew the walk bringing Joey Parente home. Carrier came back up again jacking a grand slam to deep left center.

In the bottom of the seventh, FC struck again when Justin Row hit a solo shot that bounced high off the left field netting pole.

GWC's never-say-die attitude helped them grab two runs in the seventh and two runs in the eighth giving the Hornets a run for their money.

Hornet starting pitcher Randall Ortiz (3-1) threw a solid game putting in 7.2 innings of work with 2 earned runs against and 6 K's.  Relief Pitcher Nick Vega stepped into tough situation in the eighth, with bases loaded, to record the third out shutting down the Gaucho threat. He came back in for the ninth only to give up a hit helping FC achieve the win.

Up Next: The Hornets (11-2, 1-0) will hit the field again this coming Tuesday, March 8th at Golden West College. Game time is at 2:00 pm.