Pitching and offensive performance determine past few games

Cyrus Burton

February 5, 2022

Starting pitcher Adam Armstrong had a six-inning shutout during Fullerton College’s fourth game of the season against Moorpark College. With the offense joining in the Hornets ensured their winning streak continued on.

RJ Vanderhook sprints towards home plate with teammate Miguel Ortiz already celebrating. — Infielder RJ Vanderhook sprinted towards home plate to score the first run of the home game last Thursday. Photo credit: Cyrus Burton

Designated hitter center fielder, Jacob Sharp, got the scoring going for the Hornets in the bottom of the third with a double off the left-field wall scoring Isaiah Marquez and RJ Vanderhook respectively. Sharp was then able to score when Miguel Ortiz singled to center field.

The lead grew when Marquez scored once more in the fourth inning. Garet Crenshaw then smashed a home run to right field in the fifth inning, and Marquez scored the third run in the sixth inning, bringing the score to an impressive 6-0 Hornets.

Isaiah Marquez readies himself to score his first point. — Hornet Isaiah Marquez readied himself to score in the third inning of a home game last week. This run was one of three runs, Marquez, an outfielder scored. Photo credit: Cyrus Burton

Armstrong started the game with six innings of shutout baseball, finally pulled for reliever Ryan Flores in the top of the seventh inning. This switch would prove to be costly for the Hornets as the Raiders were able to fully load the bases before Flores was taken out for reliever Joe Linehan.

Head Coach Baum talks with the team before swapping pitchers. — Head coach Chad Baum discussed strategy with the team before switching pitchers to Joe Linehan during last Thursday’s home game. Photo credit: Cyrus Burton

Linehan did his best to protect The Hornet’s lead but the Raiders ended up scoring four runs by the end of the seventh inning putting pressure back on The Hornets.

Joe Linehan pitches to protect The Hornet's perfect score. — In one of many high tension moments, Joe Linehan threw a pitch to shut out the Raiders for the first seven innings of last week’s home game. Photo credit: Cyrus Burton

The Hornets answered back in the bottom of the seventh when pinch hitter Niko Santamaria singled to left field. Reaching second base on a fielding error, that also scored center fielder Garet Crenshaw, Santamaria’s hit brought the score to 7-4.

“Adam set the tone by throwing strikes and our hitters did a good job of battling and finding awesome pitches early in the first couple of minutes,” said Chad Baum Fullerton’s coach. “Extending our lead was obviously really important because they got those four runs.”

Sharp was the catalyst to the offensive momentum in a big four-run third inning.

“Jacob is a phenomenal player. He was DH back in the day and he’s a really good hitter. He plays with a lot of passion and is definitely one of the leaders on the offensive side,” Baum said.

Jacob Sharp (number 19) celebrates with his teammates. — Jacob Sharp center fielder, no. 19, celebrated with his fellow Hornets after the team won the fourth home game Feb. 3. Photo credit: Cyrus Burton

With Thursday’s win, the Hornets (4-0) remained undefeated in the season until the team’s next game, Feb. 4 where they had their first loss at Ventura College, 11-5 Pirates.

In another away game, the next day, Fullerton bounced back from the loss by beating the Palomar College Comets 13-8. The Hornets are now (5-1).