Originally written for publishing on February 14, 2013.

The Fullerton College Hornets’ baseball team dropped a close one to Victor Valley, 2-1, on Tuesday at home. Both teams pitched well throughout, but an early mistake proved costly for the Hornets.

In the top of the first inning, Hornet (2-3) pitcher Juan Berumen walked Nick Cordoba of the Rams. Cordoba would then put himself into scoring position by stealing second base.

In the next at bat, Berumen (0-1) caught too much of the plate and Thomas McCarty ripped the mistake for a home run to give the Rams a 2-0 lead.

That would be all Victor Valley needed. The Rams’ pitcher Adolfo Espinoza pitched by far his best game of the season.

Espinoza went eight innings, and only gave up one unearned run, and striking out eight. This was by far the best game of the season for Espinoza, who now has a record of 1-2 on the young season.

The Hornets actually outhit the Rams in the game, 7-4. Fullerton had a couple of good opportunities, but could not get the big hits to capitalize.

The Hornets wasted an opportunity in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Hornets had runners on second and third with two outs, and Derreck Garcia stepping up to the plate.

Garcia flew out to left field, and failed to get the potentially tying runs in. The Hornets would not have another decent opportunity until the eighth inning.

In the bottom of the eighth, Fullerton lead-off hitter, Dakota Wix stepped to the plate and singled to lead off the inning. He then stole second, and advanced to third when the McCarty overthrew the second baseman, and the ball trickled into the outfield.

After a strike out, Garrett Donahoe drew a walk, to give the Hornets runners on first and third. Uriel Salinas then came up and singled in Wix, to cut the deficit to 2-1.

With runners on first and second base, the next two batters flew out to end the rally.

The Rams brought in their closer, Justin Hotchner, for the ninth inning and he sent the Hornets down in order to end the game.

The Hornets now hit the road as they take on Palomar College this Thursday. First-pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.