Fullerton’s sophomore outfielder Anabel Mendez broke the game wide open with her double clearing 3 RBIs hit at the bottom of the fourth inning in their 6-0 victory against Santa Ana.
Leading up to the game-deciding inning for the Hornets, sophomore outfielder Kaylee Williamson hit a leadoff single to start it off for Fullerton. Hornet sophomore pitcher Lulu Vasquez then followed with a walk with Williamson already in scoring position.
After Hornet freshman first baseman Khloe Lilavois’ hit a sac bunt to advance the runners, freshman infielder Sarah Rengifo drew a walk to load the bases. This prompted the Dons to make a pitching change for Nicole Yniguez with only one in the fourth.
In the only hit of the game for Mendez, she delivered for the Hornets and drove in Williamson, Vasquez, and Rengifo with a double as Fullerton went up 3-0.
Later in the inning, Hornet freshman outfielder Desiree Guzman hit an RBI single with 2 outs to drive in Mendez who was stuck on second. Now the Hornets led 4-0 after four innings.
For the next inning, Fullerton would add two more runs to go up 6-0 via Lilavois and Rengifo RBI singles. Both hitters came through in their at-bats with 2 outs.
Behind the pitching efforts of Vasquez, the Hornets had no reason to worry as she threw seven complete innings only allowing 2 hits on 0 runs given.
Despite giving up 3 walks and throwing no strikeouts, Vasquez still retired the side in the second, third, and seventh innings. Her defense performed up to par for her in their performance as the Hornets claimed their 26th victory of the season.
The Dons defense were the total opposite. They gave up 8 hits and 6 errors to allow the Hornets multiple opportunities to capitalize in both the fourth and fifth innings.
Once Dons pitcher Yniguez came in for Kyles, she was able to strikeout 4 Hornet batters in what would be the only strikeouts in the game for both sides.
However, Yniguez was put in a tough predicament when she entered the game with the bases loaded and would ultimately give up a hit to the Fullerton’s Mendez that broke the even score.
“As a team, we came out with a lot of energy because we wanted this game. We were already getting on base that inning and me hitting that double was huge because we were finally on the board. My mindset was to stay relaxed,” Mendez stated.
“Lulu is an awesome pitcher and she is so confident on both defense and offense. I knew she got the game for us from the very first pitch,” Mendez added.
With this victory, the Hornets improved to (26-4, 13-3) and capture their 13th straight win.
Looking to avenge their conferences losses to rivals Cypress, Fullerton will be on the road against OEC first-place leaders Cypress Chargers (28-4, 15-0) on Wednesday, Apr. 10 at 3 pm.
