Originally written for publishing on May 4, 2013.
The Fullerton College Baseball team lost the first of a best-of-three game series to the East Los Angeles Huskies of Friday afternoon, at home. The loss means that Fullerton must win both games of Saturday’s double-header in order to advance to the next round.
The Hornets (25-12, 15-6 OEC) were able to rebound from a first inning run by the Huskies (25-12, 13-7 conference), with a fourth inning sacrifice fly with bases loaded by Troy Mulcahely. Any potential Hornet rally that inning was stopped when Troy Mulcahey was picked off second base to end the inning.
Fullerton was able to carry that momentum into the top of the 6th inning with their defense. With the go-ahead run in scoring position, the Hornets turned a 5-4-3 double play to get out of the inning safely.
It was in the bottom of the 6th when the Hornets were able to put more runs on the board. Fullerton’s Ryan Joyce lined a 2-RBI single up the middle, giving FC the 3-1 lead. They added an RBI single by Dakota Wix that put the Hornets ahead 4-1 going into the seventh-inning stretch.
An RBI double by Paul Frias added to Fullerton’s 5-1 lead in the bottom of the 7th inning. However, a 3-run 8th inning rally by the Huskies tied the game at 5-5 tie ending the Hornet’s momentum.
After East L.A. scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th, Fullerton had one last chance. With bases loaded and 2 outs, it was up to shortstop Jose Rojas to bring home the runners. Unfortunately, Rojas hit into a fielder’s choice and Troy Mulcahey was thrown out at second.
When asked about the loss today, head coach Nick Fuscardo stated that his bullpen played great all season long and he assured that the season isn’t over yet.
“We haven’t loss a series all year. I just told the guys that tomorrow we play game one, win it, and play game two, then win that,” said Fuscado
FC’s Ryan Romero (2-3) took the loss, while the Huskies’ Robert Engles (4-0) gets the win.
Up next the Hornets with finish the series on Saturday at Fullerton College.
