The Hornets came into Thursday’s game against Palomar averaging 10 runs per game, but the Comets starting pitcher Troy Lamperello limited Fullerton to their lowest run total of the season.

Unbeknownst to everyone at Fullerton College Field, this game was decided after two innings, thanks to a unusual lack of production from Fullerton’s bats.

Lamperello picked up his first win of the season, going seven innings with two strikeouts and only one walk. However, in the first inning it appeared as though he might not have his best stuff.

The Hornets first baseman Oscar Heredia came up with a runner aboard and doubled to left-center bringing home the Hornets lone run of the day.

“I thought we would keep scoring runs like we have been because I know and trust my teammates. We just didn’t get it going,” Heredia said.

The Comets trailed the Hornets for approximately five minutes. Hornets starting pitcher Gordon Cardenas looked good in the first, but things got away from him in the second.

Cardenas wasn’t getting much help from his defense though. An error by second baseman Laine Huffman allowed the Comets lead-off man, Travis Mitchell, to get aboard. A sacrifice fly, wild pitch and a fielder’s choice brought home two more runs in the second inning.

What looked like the makings of a real back and forth battle turned into a lopsided contest the final seven frames. The Hornets just couldn’t get their bats going after the first inning.

The Orange Empire Conference’s top hitter, Fullerton catcher Julio Rivera, came away hitless for the first time all season. Rivera came into the contest sporting a robust .571 batting average. Rivera did reach base on a fielder’s choice play in the first scoring the teams only run.

The Comets would go on to score two in the fourth, but here was still plenty of hope that the Hornets would get things going offensively like they had done all season. However, after a three run seventh by the Comets, it was becoming clear that the game was out of reach.

Palomar’s third baseman, Vince Mori lead the way for the visiting squad. Mori finished the game with three hits, two RBIs, and a run scored.

Shortstop Justin Row was the only Hornet to compile two hits in the game. Defensively, the Hornets were uncharacteristically shoddy, committing three errors. Whereas the Comets were virtually perfect on the defensive end, committing no errors.

Head coach Nick Fuscardo pointed to the little things and defense as to how this one got away.

“We pitched behind in the count. We didn’t cover first base twice and we mishandled a couple ground balls,” Fuscardo said. “I think we are in a dogfight if we make those plays.”

The Hornets will look to use this loss as motivation to improve their game and clean up the mistakes.

“To take a loss at this time, isn’t the worst thing in the world,” Fuscardo said “In fact, getting smacked around like this could be a good thing for us moving forward.”

One thing is for sure, this loss hasn’t shaken the skipper’s confidence.

“We play them again on Saturday, and we look forward to going up there and doing the same thing to them,” Fuscardo said.

The Hornets will look to get even as they face the Comets again on Saturday at Palomar College near San Diego. The game time is set for 12 p.m. For more information on the baseball team or Hornets Sports, visit www.fchornets.com.