SOFTBALL: A WIN & LOSS ENDS A MAGICAL RUN
The Hornets played two games in the CCCAA State Tournament on Saturday ending Cypress College's season 6-3 before falling in a pitchers' duel to Palomar 2-1.
The Hornets played two games in the CCCAA State Tournament on Saturday ending Cypress College's season 6-3 before falling in a pitchers' duel to Palomar 2-1.
Fullerton came out on day two of the CCCAA Championship Tournament ending Cypress College's season with a 6-3 victory.
FC was swept by the Cypress during the regular season three games to none but came out swinging in this one out-hitting the Chargers 11-3.
The Hornets scored the first run of the game on Kaylee Williamson's single to left field that brought Sabrina Anguiano in on a throwing error.
Cypress matched Fullerton on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first when Janea Brannen hit deep SAC fly to giving Amanda Campos the opportunity to score from third.
In the second inning, Fullerton went up 3-1. Anguiano brought Anabel Mendez and Sarah Rengifo home on a deep double to left field.
The Chargers got a run back in the fourth on another SAC Fly by Vanessa Ayala that brought Leslie Bojorquez home.
Three more Hornet runs were added in the fifth. Lulu Vasquez doubled to right scoring Williamson and Rengifo doubled to center field scoring Khloe Lilavois and Vasquez.
Cypress managed to score a run in the sixth on a home run by Bojorquez, but Fullerton had enough in the tank to finish the game.
Hornet pitcher Jessica Lopez (20-6) tossed a complete game for the win allowing 3 hits, 3 runs, with 5 K's and 3 walks.
In a close duel between Fullerton and Palomar in the second game of the day, the Hornets came up short 2-1.
The Comets made an early statement in the top of the first when Sarah Fisher crushed a home run over the center field fence.
The Hornets would not be outdone as Veronica Garza ripped a double to right field that plated Anabel Mendez.
Palomar added the final run of the game in the fourth when Rylee Penrod doubled to right field scoring Katie Bananal.
Fighting off the rain, Fullerton had a couple of chances to tie the game up in the fifth and sixth innings, but they came up just short of the plate.
FC starter Lulu Vasquez went 4.1 innings giving up 7 hits 2 runs, with 4 K's and 2 walks. Jessica Lopez came in as a reliever throwing 2.2 innings and gave up no hits with a walk and 3 K's.
It was a phenomenal season for the Hornet softball team as they won 38 games on the season. The last time FC won more games was in 2002 (39 wins) under head coach Lisa Bassi. That team also lost to Palomar in the third game of the State Tournament by a run (1-0). The excellent coaching by Speedy Mendoza and Chrystal Aguirre earned them "Coach of the Year" in the State Tournament as they led Fullerton to the State Tournament for the first time in 14 seasons (2005). Both Hornet pitchers, Lulu Vasquez and Jessica Lopez, were All-State selections. Kaylee Williamson and Veronica Garza were tabbed All-Southern California.
