BASEBALL: OEC OPENER EQUALS WIN

The Hornets went down to Irvine Valley College on Thursday to open up Orange Empire Conference-play, and they were successful grabbing a shutout 2-0 victory from the Lasers.

A pitchers' duel, the game did not have a runner cross home plate until the 12th inning when Fullerton catcher Bill Austin hit a grounder up the middle to bring in 3b Trent Hammond in for the first run of the game. Then, CF John Orlando cracked a double to right center bringing in 1B Riley Roberts for the 2-0 score.

Irvine Valley's record slipped to 8-6 overall and 0-1 in the Orange Empire Conference, while Fullerton, which is ranked No. 19 in Southern California, improved to 11-3 overall and 1-0 in the OEC.

Both starting pitchers were impressive in the contest as IVC's Justin Zielinski, who came into the game having allowed just one earned run so far this year. He gave up 7 hits, no walks, and struck out one. 

Fullerton starter Gordon Cardenas also pitched nine scoreless innings. He gave up six hits and two walks and had three strikeouts. RP Ortiz picked up the win, going three scoreless innings. He gave up three hits and had two strikeouts.

Offensively for the Hornets, Julio Rivera went 3 for 4, Roberts was 2 for 5 and Austin went 2 for 2 for Fullerton.

Up Next: FC will play at Golden West College this Saturday, February 28th at noon.

*Photo by Ricardo Zapata