The Hornets baseball team entered Tuesday’s home contest against the Tartars trying to snap a two-game skid. Fullerton jumped out to an early lead, however El Camino-Compton answered immediately and never looked back.
The Hornets jumped on the board in the first on a rbi groundout by first baseman Oscar Heredia that scored second baseman Laine Huffman.
The Tartars were not going to wait around for Prohoroff to get into a groove. In the top of the second inning, third baseman Julian Perez got things moving with a double that brought home two runs.
Then in the top of the fifth, the Tartars added to their lead on a rbi single by catcher Renae Martinez that scored Perez.
El Camino-Compton was back at it again in the sixth. Shortstop Johnny Conde singled to left field bringing home second baseman Louis Johnson.
Hornets starting pitcher Dylan Prohoroff had an uncharacteristically difficult game, leaving after six innings and dropping just his second game of the season. Prohoroff finished with four earned runs, but did manage to strikeout seven ECC batters on the day.
The Hornets appeared to be mounting a comeback in the bottom half of the eighth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Riley Roberts reached base on a fielders choice that scored Christian Prado. However, with two down, runners on the corners and the tying run at the plate, a base running mistake foiled the Hornets comeback attempt. Roberts tried to steal second, but got a late jump and was thrown-out easily on a strong throw from Martinez.
Following their third consecutive loss, head coach Nick Fuscardo explained that the Hornets struggles stem from a lack of accountability to each other right now.
“At the end of the day it becomes a team thing, no matter what I say they have to figure it out for themselves at some point,” said Fuscardo.
Although FC has fallen on lean times the past couple weeks, Fuscardo is confident that his squad can still right the ship with eight conference games remaining this season. The skipper looks at this like a learning experience, inferring that it is better they go through this now during out of conference play.
“The games we play next week when we are back in conference are vital,” said Fuscardo. “If we come out and play hard like we know we can, we will get it right.”
The Hornets will have little time to dwell on the loss. FC will be back at home again tomorrow to play another out of conference game against Taft at 3 p.m.