SUPER REGIONALS: GAME ONE HEARTBREAKER

The No. 9 FC softball team traveled to No. 1 Orange Coast for game one of the Super Regionals on Friday and lost in a walk-off to the Pirates 3-2.

It was a closely contested matchup as Fullerton College staged a gritty comeback but fell just short. The loss puts the 2024 state champion Hornet's (19-22 overall) back up against the wall as they need to win the next two games tomorrow (Saturday, May 10th) back at No. 1 Orange Coast College (31-7). The winner of the three-game series advances to the 3C2A State Tournament to be held at West Valley (May 15-18) and San Jose Colleges (May 16th only).

After a scoreless first inning, the Pirates hit paydirt early in the second when McKenzie Koshi doubled to left center scoring Reyna Hernandez. Moments later, Olivia Pedraza knocked a RBI single to right field, scoring Koshi and putting the Hornets in a 2-0 hole.

Fullerton didn't stay quiet for long dishing out their shots in the fifth inning when Veronica Moore drew a walk and set the table for a mini rally. Milene Mendoza capitalized on a wild pitch to score that cut the deficit in half. Soon after, Jianna Lopez came through with a timely single to right, driving in Morales tying the game at 2-2.

In the bottom of the seventh with 2 outs, Orange Coast won it in walk-off fashion thanks to Kelsey McNair's RBI single to left field that plated Koshi.

Despite the loss, Fullerton showed fight, especially in the middle innings, but couldn't muster a response to McNair's late-inning heroics.

Grace Workman was once again solid in the circle tossing 6.2 innings with 8 hits against for 3 runs. She had no walks and handed out 4 Ks.

Up Next: The Hornets will play at Orange Coast College on Saturday, May 10th for game two of the 3C2A Super Regionals at 12:00 pm. Game three (if needed) will be play right after game two at 2:00 pm. 

The 3C2A Super Regional Bracket