SOFTBALL: THE ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!
After a 20-year wait, the Fullerton College softball team earned the OEC title after sweeping Saddleback College in the four-game series.
After a 20-year wait, the Fullerton College softball team earned the OEC title after sweeping Saddleback College in the four-game series.
The last time the Hornets brought home the OEC crown, they won back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2001 under head coach Lisa Bassi. That was when current co-head coach Crystal Aguirre was playing for the team.
It has been a very strange and difficult year to say the least, however with hard work and persistence, the FC softball team and coaching staff willed positive light at the end of the tunnel locking in on a 20-5 overall record with an OEC record of 20-4. Another bright light is the full-time hiring of Coach Aguirre pending board approval (more to come on this later).
Riding a two-game OEC lead over Cypress and Santa Ana heading into the week, Fullerton needed to sweep Saddleback this past week in order to secure the OEC title outright, and they did just that.
On Wednesday, FC hosted Saddleback and blanked the Bobcats 5-0, and 2-0. In the first game, pitcher Jessica Lopez earned the win going 7 complete innings allowing only 3 hits while striking out 10 batters. In game two, Madison Pevehouse threw 4 innings for the win. Lopez went two innings and had 4 K's, while Nicole Gonzalez locked in her first save of the season tossing an inning.
Friday's double header down at Saddleback was where the Hornets hammered down the final nails for the title beating Saddleback in both games 5-1 and 7-3. Fullerton's Jessica Lopez threw another complete game for her 12th win allowing 5 hits, 1 earned run with 5 K's. In the second game of the day, three players hit doubles in Madison Ferguson, Miranda Rooney (2), and Anahi Agredano. Pevehouse delivered with 3 RBI and Rooney chipped in with 2. Lopez took the win going 4.2 innings with 4 hits against and 7 strikeouts.
Up Next: The Hornets will play in the OEC Tournament that begins on June 2nd. Fullerton has a first-round bye and will host the winner of Santiago Canyon and Orange Coast at home on Thursday, June 3rd. Game times are at 2:00 pm. THE OEC TOURNEY BRACKET
HORNET OEC CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES
1979 – Coach Margo Davis
1980 (State Title) – Coach Margo Davis
1981 - Coach Margo Davis
1982 - Coach Margo Davis
1985 - Coach Margo Davis
1986 - Coach Margo Davis
1988 - Coach Margo Davis
1989 – Coach Lisa Bassi
1997 – Coach Lisa Bassi
2000 – Coach Lisa Bassi
2001 – Coach Lisa Bassi
