Entering the last game before conference play, the Hornets looked to extend their winning streak to five, with Long Beach City College Vikings standing in their way. They did just that with a 10-8 victory, Tuesday, at home.
“We are feeling pretty good going into conference on a five-game winning streak,” said FC manager Nick Fuscardo. “We still have things to work on but we like where we are at.”
Last week was a busy one for the Hornets as they played in four games, winning all four. Teams have had trouble pitching to Fullerton’s hard-hitting lineup, and the Vikings pitching staff were next to take on the task.
Right-handed pitcher Kyle Lazcano started on the mound for the Hornets, facing right-handed pitcher Sean Hale of the Vikings. Both pitchers looked good to start the game, as neither team scored through the first three innings. The Vikings were the first team to cross home plate scoring one run in the fourth, but the Hornets responded.
In the fourth inning the Hornets came alive offensively, and the Vikings defense gave them some assistance. A combination of hard hits and throwing errors opened the gates for the Hornets, as they put up seven runs in the inning. Hornet’s shortstop Jose Rojas had two at-bats in the inning, and two base-hits.
“I think it was more our defense than our pitcher, we really let him down defensively. It was ugly baseball,” said manager Casey Crock of LBCC.
Coach Crook of LBCC decided to stick with his starting pitcher throughout the entire inning despite his trouble getting outs. With a deficit of 7-1 at the end of the inning, the Vikings bats got going in the fifth inning.
The Vikings started the inning with a base hit, followed by a two-run homerun by first baseman Jordan Ybarra. They didn’t stop there though, they matched the Hornets fourth inning by putting up seven runs of their own in the fifth.The Hornets were forced to make a pitching change, sending Parker Merritt to the mound.
The Hornets came back from their one-run deficit the next inning by scoring three more. They were able to hold the Vikings to only one more run through the rest of the game, and Austin Sweet came in to close it for the Hornets. Fullerton will now enter conference play with a five-game winning streak.
“We feel really confident with our fifth-straight win. We’ll take it one day at a time and go from there,” said Sweet.
They look to get back to where they ended last season and play for another state championship. Their first game of conference will be at home against Golden West this Thursday, at 2 p.m.
Fuscardo said, “Our conference is tough, we have to come out ready to play.”
Game Notes:
The Hornets may have to start conference play without starting catcher Oliver Jackson. Jackson went down in the seventh inning after a collision with Viking first baseman, Nolan Flashman. The extent of the injury remains unknown.