3-GAME SWEEP OVER SACRAMENTO CITY

No. 30 Fullerton welcomed No. 15 Sacramento City College to Hornet Field for a three-game series over the weekend and pulled off the sweep boosting their record to 11-5 overall.

GAME 1

In first game on Friday afternoon, FC came out swinging early when Diego Vazquez knocked a two-run double to right-center scoring Jake Starr and Nate Pone before Sean Green added an RBI groundout to make it 3-0.

Sacramento City answered with a pair of runs in the top of the second, but that would be as close as it got. The Hornets responded immediately in the bottom half when Starr delivered a two-run single up the middle to push the lead to 5-2.

The Hornets continued to apply pressure in the third. Pone lined a two-run single to left, plating Vinny Hudson and Carlos Barrios, and another run crossed later in the inning on a defensive miscue to stretch the advantage to 8–2. Fullerton added single runs in the fifth and seventh, with Pone coming through again in the seventh with a two-run single to left to cap the scoring at 11–2.

Pone led the Hornet offense with a big day at the plate, going 3-6 with four RBI. Vazquez finished 2-5 with two RBIs, while Starr drove in two and Hudson crossed the plate three times. Fullerton collected 13 hits in the win.

On the mound, Will Valenzuela earned the victory improving to 2-1on the season. The right-hander worked 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out five. Nico Rodriguez was sharp in relief tossing the final 3.1 innings to secure the save and hold the Panthers scoreless the rest of the way.

GAME 2

In the second game of the series on Saturday morning, the Hornets pulled off a sneaky seven inning 5-4 win.

After falling behind 4-1 after five innings, Fullerton went to work at the plate scoring four unanswered runs in the sixth taking the victory from the Panthers.

The Panthers struck first jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-run homer. Sacramento City added single runs in the third and fifth innings to stretch the lead to 4-1.

Fullerton answered in the second when Hunter Billingsley ripped an RBI double to right field that scored Sean Green. Still trailing 4-1 heading into the sixth, Fullerton finally broke through with a decisive rally.

Diego Vazquez ignited the comeback with an RBI double to left field scoring Nate Pone. Moments later, Sean Green stayed hot at the plate lacing a double down the left-field line to drive in Vazquez and cut the deficit to one. The Hornets then took the lead for good when pinch hitter Niko Mendez delivered the clutch hit, a single up the middle to plate two runs for the 5-4 advantage.

Green finished the day 2-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Vazquez added an RBI double. Billingsley chipped in an RBI double, and Mendez drove in a pair off the bench.

FC pitcher Sage Nelson battled through 4.2 innings, striking out seven while allowing four runs. Landen Pulsifer earned the win with 1.1 scoreless innings in relief, and Murdoch Taylor shut the door in the seventh to pick up his third save on the season.

GAME 3

The Hornets played the third and final game of the series after a thirty-minute break and the team stayed hot with an explosive 15-4 victory.

Fullerton wasted no time jumping on the Panthers, posting four runs in the bottom of the first. Diego Vazquez got the scoring started with an RBI double, and the Hornets capitalized on aggressive baserunning and a pair of wild pitches to take quick control of the game.

The Hornets continued to pile it on in the third inning when Jake Starr worked a bases-loaded walk to force in a run before Vazquez delivered again ripping a two-run single. Luke Viola followed with an RBI base hit as Fullerton pushed the advantage to 8-0.

Vazquez was the engine of the offense going 3-4 with five RBI, while driving in runs in three different innings. Viola matched him with a big day of his own, going 3-5 with five RBI, including a three-run double in the sixth that broke the game wide open.

On the mound, Fullerton used a balanced staff effort. Eddie Garcia gave the Hornets four solid innings, and the bullpen locked things down the rest of the way. Nate Walraven earned the win with 1.2 scoreless innings, while the Hornet pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts over nine innings.

Sacramento City managed a two-run homer in the fourth and added late runs, but the outcome was never in doubt as Fullerton finished with 15 runs on 11 hits.

Up Next: The Hornets (11-5 overall) will head down to Southwestern College for a game with the Jaguars this Tuesday, February 24th at 1:00 pm.