Kai Hopfel and Vinny Hudson had three hits and three RBIs, while Sage Nelson worked five innings of two-run ball. The Hornets stave off elimination, as they defeat L.A. Pierce 15-4 in game two of the super regionals on Friday.
After struggling in the first two innings to score runs in game one, Fullerton was able to flip the script. The Hornets jumped on the Brahmas from the opening pitch and capitalized with runners in scoring position. In the first inning, Center fielder Hudson drove in Jake Starr from third base on an RBI groundout, making it 1-0 Hornets.
Fullerton scored three runs in the second inning, all with two outs. There were runners on first and second after back-to-back singles.
Hopfel ripped an RBI ground rule double into left field on a 2-2 count. After advancing to third on Starr’s infield RBI single, Hopfel scored on a wild pitch to extend Fullerton’s lead to 4-0.
“I was looking for the first one, something to put in play, help the team out, get a couple RBIs,” said Hopfel.
In the fifth inning, Hopfel continued his stellar hitting performance. Leading 8-2, the Hornets got consecutive walks, a miscommunication on a sign to sacrifice bunt, and a strikeout.
“Carlos Barrios came to me, and he’s like, I didn’t mean to get that sac down. I got the wrong sign, and I messed up. He’s like come through for me,” said Hopfel.
Hopfel stepped into the batter’s box with runners in scoring position. He came through in a big way for Barrios, as he blooped a two-run RBI single into right-center field. That made it 10-2.
In the eighth inning, Hopfel recorded his third hit of the game. He smoked a double into left field and later scored on a Hudson two-run RBI triple. The Hornets made it 15-3 on a Barrios RBI single to right.
That was more than enough for Fullerton starting pitcher Nelson, who stifled the Brahmas offense. After retiring the side in order on three consecutive groundouts to start the game, Nelson got into a jam.
In the second inning, L.A. Pierce got runners on second and third with none out, via a single and double. First baseman Ethan Granillo drove in the first run of the game for the Brahmas, with a sacrifice fly to right field. Nelson would get left fielder Juan Tirado on an infield pop-up and Simon on a fielder’s choice groundout.
“It was a fastball at the bottom of the zone. Anything at the bottom of the zone, they couldn’t really handle. Then flip into offspeeds, like a slider curveball at the top of the zone that they usually sit on,” said Nelson.
In the fourth inning, Nelson ran into more trouble, as he gave up a single and a double to the first two batters. Head Coach Chad Baum made a mound visit to get his ace back on track.
“Baum told me to go out there and do my job. And don’t do anything different. Came up there and gave me a breather, and then told me that my defense is behind me,” said Nelson.
Nelson got back on the rubber, with no need to have the defense behind him, and recorded back-to-back strikeouts. After getting ahead in the count 1-2 to center fielder Matteo Rodriguez, Nelson lost him on a walk to load the bases. That was followed by another walk to score a run. Once again, Nelson would limit the damage to one run, as he struck out designated hitter JJ Fagfoomsintu on a high fastball.
“Every time [Nelson] goes out, he gives us a chance to win. He does a great job of throwing strikes with multiple pitches, and he wasn’t at full strength today. Gritty performance again, and he’s our best pitcher on our staff and a very clutch pitcher,” said Baum.
In the fifth inning, after a leadoff single, Nelson got two strikeouts and a flyout. The Bullpen would take over from there. Eddie Garcia went three innings, giving up two runs, while Mason Smith threw a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout.
“Eddie did a really good job, I think he’s a better reliever than starter, but he got a start for us, and came in and got a lot of ground balls, got a lot of outs, and did exactly what he’s taught to do,” said Baum.
Both teams will square off in a winner-take-all game tomorrow.
“We all got to get some good sleep, good rest, and do what we did today tomorrow and compete,” said Hopfel.
