Originally written for publishing on March 13, 2013.

The Fullerton College Hornets (3-14, 1-5 OEC) dug a hole they could not climb out of, giving up five runs in the first three innings Wednesday. The Hornet bats were quiet early before scoring two runs in the fifth inning to lose at home 5-2.

Hornet freshman pitcher Alyssa Felipe pitched strong in relief, only giving up one unearned run on a fielder’s choice in the third inning. She allowed only one hit after that including putting the Hawks down in order over the final three innings.

“Felipe came in in relief and did a great job,” said Hornet co-coach Lisa Bassi. “She actually shut them down.”

The Hornet offense started out sluggish stranding runners on base in the first two innings. Hawks pitcher Josie Tucker was on her game early, striking out five Hornet batters through the first three innings.

The Hornets we unable to get any runner past second base until the fifth inning. Two errors on line drives to the third basemen allowed Felipe to run home and put the Hornets on the board. Then with a runner on second base, freshman shortstop Felisha Gomez ripped a double past third base, plating Hornet third baseman Celina Sanchez who beat the throw home.

“I wanted to prove to everybody else that I’m not going to stay down, I’m going to bounce back,” said Gomez.

Unfortunately for the Hornets the damage was already done after a rough second inning. With two outs and two runners on base freshman starter Elizabeth Serrano (1-5) could not get out of the inning. Two singles and two wild pitches put three runs on the board and forced Bassi to make the change to Felipe.

“Once we started scoring runs we got more involved as a team,” Felipe said.

Giving up early leads has been a problem for the softball team all season. This was the 13th game this year that the Hornets have fallen behind early. They have only managed a win in one of those games.

“It’s been a challenge for us all year. We have been digging a hole early and then we have to dig out of it. More of a challenge than it needs to be,” Bassi said.

Next up for the Hornets is another match against Cypres on Friday. Cypress beat the Hornets 3-1 back on Feb. 20. The game starts at 2 p.m. at the Fullerton College softball field.