BASEBALL: HORNETS FALL - COACH FUSCARDO HONORED

The Hornets could not complete season sweep of Santa Ana College as they fell 7-6 at home on Thursday. Prior to the game on Thursday, Head baseball coach Nick Fuscardo was recognized by the Take Back the Night Group for his efforts and support.

Fullerton (19-11 overall, 8-7 Orange Empire Conference) jumped all over the Dons grabbing a 5-1 lead by the end of the fifth inning, but it would not be enough to hold off the last place Dons (12-17-1, 3-12) in the Orange Empire Conference. With their back against wall and nothing left to lose, Santa Ana fought back hard and took the game from the Hornets.

The top of the seventh is where the game turned sour for Fullerton as their bats went cold and the Don bats got hot (FC was out hit 16-6). With the score 5-3, Santa Ana scored three runs to take the lead on Julio Garcia's hard-hit single through the left side that scored Nestor Linares and Alex Mascarenas. Troy Baird hit a single and tried to stretch it into a double and was thrown out by Oscar Heredia, but the Don's Patrick Cromwell rounded third and scored to take the lead.

FC tied it up in the eighth (6-6) on a Marco Rivera single that scored Julio Rivera.

The Dons took the lead for good in the ninth when Manuel Segura doubled to right center giving Alex Mascarenas the opportunity to cross home plate.

Prior to the first pitch, Coach Fuscardo was a presented with an award named after Yvette Martinez. It is given to individuals who share their courage to step outside the box and encourage survivors to share their stories of abuse.

Take Back the Night is a nation-wide movement that was created to support those who have experienced child abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual assault, anyone that has been trafficked, stalked, or experienced any type of hate crime.  

The 2nd Annual Take Back the Night Rally will take place on the Fullerton College campus quad (in front of the library) on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 7:00 pm. The event will focus on creating a safe space where people can come together and encourage those that they are not alone.

Up Next: The Hornets will play at Saddleback College this Saturday, April 11th at noon.

*Photo by Ricardo Zapata