GAME TWO SUPER REGIONALS: WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES
FC Steps it up for Game 2 of the Super Regionals.
The Hornets bounced back in a big way Friday afternoon powering past LA Pierce College 15-4 in game two of the 3C2A Super Regionals on Hornet Field.
After dropping game one of the series, FC responded with one of their best offensive outputs of the season pounding out 15 hits while capitalizing on four Brahmas errors to even the series at one game apiece.
With the victory, Fullerton improves to 25-21 overall, while LA Pierce drops to 26-21.
The Hornets wasted little time scoring in the opening inning when Vinny Hudson brought home Jake Starr on a groundout to make it 1-0. Fullerton then broke the game open with a three-run second inning highlighted by a Kai Hopfel RBI double and a Jake Starr RBI single for a 4-0 lead.
LA Pierce answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning, but the Hornets kept applying pressure. Carlos Barrios launched a deep solo home run to left field in the fourth inning before Fullerton added three more runs later in the frame to stretch the advantage to 8-1.
The offense continued rolling in the fifth when Hopfel delivered again with a two-run single to center field scoring Coen Goeas and Sean Green to push the lead to 10-2.
FC put the game out of reach in the eighth inning with a five-run explosion. Hudson ripped a two-run triple to left-center field, Diego Vazquez added a sacrifice fly, Sean Green knocked in a run with a double, and Barrios wrapped up the inning with a RBI single.
Hudson led the offensive attack by going 3-6 with 4 RBI and 2 runs scored. Hopfel was perfect at the plate finishing 3-3 with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored. Barrios also had a huge afternoon going 3-3 with a solo jack, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. Jake Starr added 2 hits and 1 RBI, while Diego Vazquez, Sean Green, and Niko Mendez each contributed key hits in the balanced offensive effort.
On the mound, Sage Nelson earned the win to improve to 7-3 on the season after allowing 2 runs over five innings while striking out 5 batters. Eddie Garcia provided a strong relief appearance with 3 strikeouts over three innings earning his first save of the season. Mason Smith closed out the final inning with no runs and a strikeout.
Up Next: The Hornets and Brahmas will meet in a decisive game three on Saturday, May 9th at 1:00 pm on Hornet Field. The winner advances to the Southern California Regional Finals to be held next weekend.
