SOFTBALL: LADY HORNETS OVERCOME

The FC softball team welcomed OEC rival Saddleback College to Hornet Field on Monday and knocked off the Gauchos 3-2 in walk-off fashion.

The win helps Fullerton to an 11-9 overall record and lifts them to 4-3 in the Orange Empire Conference. The Saddleback defeat lands them at 9-10 overall and 4-5 in the OEC.

The Hornets took a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning on a shot up the middle by DP Erin Molina that brought leadoff-hitter Brigid Ruiz home.

After that, the well dried up for Fullerton as they were held scoreless until the bottom of the seventh.

Saddleback took advantage scoring their runs in the third and fifth innings off of FC errors.

It was in the seventh when the FC offense decided to wake. Ruiz drilled the ball to center field for a double giving 3B Evelyn Hernandez the opportunity to score. With two outs on the board, Ruiz nearly finished the game in the inning when the next batter Molina doubled to left center. As Ruiz sprinted from second rounding third, her pathway was too wide and she missed home in a diving effort. Gaucho catcher Madison Newby applied the tag and the game went into extras.

In the top of the eighth, the Gauchos threatened with runners on first and second, but the Hornet defense remained strong extinguishing the threat on a Ruiz strikeout.

In the bottom of eight, the game was sealed in FC's favor on LF Tiffiny Centeno's single to right field scoring pinch runner Kylie Patrick.

FC starting pitcher Ruiz was strong in the circle tossing 8 innings of 5-hit softball. She had 4 K's, 1 walk, and no earned runs.

Up Next: The Hornets (11-9, 4-3) will play at Santa Ana on Wednesday, March 16th @ 3:00 pm.