Fullerton held Saddleback at bay by winning 10-2 in five innings, bringing their current win streak to 10 games.

The Gauchos came out with their first two batters each getting a hit against Hornet sophomore pitcher Lulu Vasquez. Those two hits turned into runs for the Saddleback.

Vasquez was able to regain her focus after the second run and struck out the next batter for the third out.

“I knew I had to move the ball a little more,” Vasquez said.

Vasquez pitched for a total of three innings with four strikeouts and only allowed two hits that came from the first inning.

Fullerton rallied back by taking the lead with doubles.

“Letting them know what they are capable of doing..and a laser-like focus on their at-bats,” Fullerton head coach Marian “Speedy” Mendoza said.

A double by sophomore outfielder Kaylee Williamson brought in sophomore shortstop Sabrina Anguiano to put the Hornets on the board. The tying run was scored off a double from freshman first baseman Khloe Lilavois. As a result, this brought Williamson home. Sophomore outfielder Anabel Mendez hit the third double of the inning to bring in Lilavois and Fullerton took the 3-2 lead.

In the third inning, the Hornets loaded the bases with two outs. Unfortunately, Fullerton was unable to capitalize when freshman outfielder Desiree Guzman’s fly ball was caught deep in left field for the third out.

The Hornets switched to freshman pitcher Jessica Lopez in the fourth inning. Lopez pitched for two innings and only allowing one hit after facing eight batters.

“My spin was keeping good…making them pop up,” Lopez said.

Fullerton widened their lead against Saddleback, scoring seven runs at the bottom of the fourth.

Hits from sophomores catcher Veronica Garza and outfielder Williamson added three runs to the scoreboard. The next change in the score was by Vasquez who slammed a two-run home run over the left field fence to give the Hornets an 8-2 lead.

“I worked on small mechanics… I grew at each at-bat,” Vasquez said.

Mendez followed the scoring frenzy with a solo home run that flew over the right-field fence.

The final score from the inning came via Hornet freshman Hunter Williams, as she ran in on a wild pitch by Gaucho pitcher Jillian Gellatly. This put Fullerton ahead 10-2.

“We put more pressure on them and they came out more aggressive on the box… and being more consistent,” coach Mendoza added.

“For the rest of the season we just have to take it one pitch at a time, one inning at a time and one hit at a time,” Mendez stated.

After the completion of the fifth inning, the score remained 10-2 and the game was called final by the umpire due to the mercy rule.

This victory improved the Hornet’s record to (23-4,10-3) for the season.

Up next: The Hornets play against conference opponent Orange Coast at home on Wednesday, April 3 at 3 p.m.