Six Hornets named to second team all-conference

With three games left in the regular season, the Hornets needed as sweep against Cypress College to clinch the last spot in the 2018 state playoffs.

After taking care of business at Cypress in the first game of the the three game set, the Hornets fell short in the second game, eliminating them from playoff contention.

Coming up short in the last series of the season followed the trend that represented the Hornet’s 2018 baseball, but the team showed signs that they were among the best in the OEC.

At the end of it all, six Hornets were named to the OEC all-conference second team, including sophomores Ryan Aguirre, Jake Anderson and Garrett Molnar, who earned his second consecutive recognition, and Sean Henry, along with freshmen teammates Connor Tousignant and Monte Montenegro.

“We play in the OEC and it’s a really competitive league and to be part of that second team, even though it’s not first, it’s a very prestigious award,” Molnar said.

FC baseball pitchers — Fullerton had three pitchers named to the 2018 Orange Empire Conference second team. Photo credit: Madalyn Amato

Tousignant highlighted the Hornets pitching staff, finishing the season with an ERA of 2.91 and 59 strikeouts while giving up only 19 walks. His teammate Henry finished the season with a team high five wins while Molnar followed close behind with four.

“I think we had pretty strong rotation and we never let anything get ahead of us,” Henry said. “We just showed up and did what we had to do.”

Sophomore pitcher Garret Molnar delivers a pitch during the Hornets home game against OCC on Apr. 12, 2018. Photo credit: Daniel Guerrero

Anderson, who played first base for the team, led the Hornets in at bats while he batted .345 throughout the season and drove in a team leading 27 RBIs .

“This will definitely stick with me for the rest of my career in baseball,” Anderson said.

Aguirre followed behind Anderson in most offensive categories including batting average and RBIs, and just like his teammate, Aguirre looks to use this recognition as momentum when he transfers to Vanguard University to continue his baseball career.

“I finally got the offer that I was working for, but the work is just beginning,” Aguirre stated. “I want to keep this going and keep carrying this onto the next level and hopefully do some big things there too.”

baseball game — Second baseman, Ryan Aguirre, sliding his way to home to score against the Golden West College on March 6. Photo credit: Stephanie Lozano

Of the freshman recognized, Montenegro believes that this could be used for momentum for next year’s returning players.

“We just got to use this as a stepping stool,” Montenegro said.

The Hornets will have close to 20 returning players next season as they look to take the next step in becoming contenders in the OEC.