The Hornets came out swinging on Friday afternoon, producing 14 runs on 13 hits to get the edge over the Alan Hancock Bulldogs. The Bulldogs, who had a record of (9-1) going into the game, are coming off an eleven-inning win Thursday over Cypress College.
On the mound to start the game for Fullerton was Josh Bornstein. He pitched well through his first two innings, but was forced to leave the game in the third with a groin injury.
The Hornets didn’t waste any time helping Bornstein, as they scored six runs in the first two innings. The first six earned runs were charged to Bulldogs’ starting pitcher Mark Baker. Baker struggled to find the strike zone early on, and was taken out of the game in the second inning.
“We hadn’t been down like that early this year, so I wanted to see if we could turn a blessing in disguise and make it a challenge for us, by working our way back in to tying this game,” said coach Chris Stevens of the Bulldogs.
Fullerton held the lead going into the sixth, with a score of 8-3 when the Bulldogs bats started to come alive. The sixth inning was their best offensive inning as they put up five runs, capped off by an RBI single from Cameron Ketchen to give them their first lead of the game, 8-7.
After losing the lead for the first time in the game, the Hornets did not seem rattled. With a runner on first, one out, and down by a run, a ground ball was hit up the middle on what appeared to be an inning-ending double play. Bulldogs pitcher Jesse Clingman overthrew his second baseman, loading up the bases with one out and opened a big opportunity for the Hornets to recapture their lead.
It didn’t take much longer for them to take the lead as Clingman walked in the go-ahead run. The Hornets ended up going off for a six-run inning, with second baseman Nick Gotta driving in the last two runs on a two-out base hit.
Alan Hancock still kept battling, scoring three runs in the eighth inning, but Fullerton was able to end the game with a 14-11 win.
The Hornets finished the game with 13 hits while the Bulldogs finished with 12. Fullerton used a total of five pitchers in the game, Nicko Castaneda was credited with the win after coming in to relieve Austin Sweet in the top of the sixth inning.
“Our pitching staff has been dominant all year, coming in with guys in scoring position and getting the job done,” said right-fielder KC Huth who finished 2-5 with two stolen bases.
This was the third of four games in the week for the Hornets, and they have won all three. Nick Morten is expected to start on the mound Saturday afternoon, as the Hornets will take on LA Mission.
“I’d like to come out tomorrow, take charge and win that ball game. Finish with a win on Tuesday, and go into conference red hot,” said Head Coach Nick Fuscardo of the Hornets.
