ONE SWING LIFTS FC PAST CYPRESS
Sometimes one swing is all that’s needed.
The Hornet softball team needed just a single run to secure game one of a three-game Orange Empire Conference series Tuesday afternoon edging Cypress College 1-0 behind a dominant pitching performance and a big home run.
With the win, the Hornets improved to 10-4 overall and 2-2 in OEC play, while Cypress slips to 10-3 overall and 3-1 in conference.
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the second inning when sophomore Lisa Villanueva stepped to the plate and delivered the decisive moment. The Hornet designated player launched a solo home run to left field providing the only run of the afternoon and giving Fullerton a 1-0 lead they would never relinquish.
That swing proved to be all the support Emma Gamez needed in the circle.
Gamez was outstanding from start to finish in the circle tossing a complete-game shutout. The right-hander scattered three hits over seven innings, allowed no runs, walked two, and struck out five while facing 26 batters to earn the victory and move to 6-2 on the season.
Cypress threatened on a few occasions, but the Hornet defense backed its ace throughout the afternoon to preserve the slim lead.
Offensively, Fullerton collected four hits in the contest with Toafa Pua leading the way with two. Juliana Ursino added a hit of her own, but it was Villanueva's second-inning blast that made the difference for the Hornet's lone run and RBI.
Fullerton's pitching and defense carried the day, holding Cypress scoreless and preventing any late comeback as the Hornets closed out the tight conference battle.
Up Next: The Hornets (10-4 overall, 2-2 OEC) will continue the three-game series when the Hornets travel down the street to Cypress College for game two this Thursday, March 12th at 2:30 pm.
