The Hornets baseball team sent their ace Dylan Prohoroff to the mound on Tuedsday to take on Bakersfield College. Prohoroff looked every bit the part through five near-flawless innings before the Renegades put together three runs in the sixth.

The Hornets bounced back minutes later, adding two more runs in the latter half of the inning and held on to win their third straight game 4-3 over Bakersfield.

Through five innings Prohoroff and the Renegades starting pitcher Joe Bresson looked like they were in complete control. The pitchers duel was broken up in the bottom of the fifth when right fielder Shane Carrier sliced a double just past the outstretched arms of the Renegades right fielder, scoring first baseman Riley Roberts.

The Hornets added one more when Bresson missed a routine come backer that brought Carrier home from second.

Head coach Nick Fuscardo is counting on Prohoroff to fill the role of that number one pitcher on his staff.

“Prohoroff was really good today. He threw five shutout innings. I am really pleased with how he threw today,” Fuscardo said.

In the top of the sixth inning Prohoroff failed to get the leadoff hitter and started struggling with his command a bit. The Renegades strung together a couple good at bats to get them on the board.

Zach Tanner singled to right scoring Josh Stone and Kaidan Meadows hit a sacrifice fly deep to left field bringing home Jacob Herrera. Eddie Torres capped off the hitting parade with a bloop single off Hornets reliever Nico Castaneda bringing home Kyle James. All three runs were credited to Prohoroff.

Fullerton bounced right back in the latter half of the sixth. Roberts was back in the middle of the action again, singling over the shortstops head to score Anthony Seminaris and catcher Julio Rivera.

Bresson pitched a complete game and took the loss with two strikeouts, four walks, and four earned runs.

Prohoroff pitched 5 2/3 innings, with eight strikeouts, three earned, and two walks but walked away with the no decision. Castaneda and closer Randall Ortiz came out of the bullpen and finished the game strong, allowing no earned runs in just over three innings of work.

“Nico did well and our closer, Ortiz came in and was dominant for the third straight game. I have been really impressed with our staff,” Fuscardo said. “Ortiz has been special every time he has been out there this year.”

Fuscardo has plans to bring the OEC title back to Fullerton, but he has his team focused and thinking one game at a time.

“A couple years ago when we won the title, we focused on winning every week. If we can win two or three games every week it will put us in position and we will have a chance,” Fuscardo said.

The Hornets (3-0) will travel to Grossmont College this Thursday, Feb. 5 to take on the Griffins at 2 p.m. The team will be back home on Saturday at noon to play Mt. SAC.