FULLERTON TOPS CYPRESS

After a week off, the Fullerton College baseball team took a short trip down the street to Cypress College on Tuesday and toppled the Chargers 13-8. 

It was a great way to come back from their bye week as the Hornet win at Cypress put a halt on a five-game skid. The win also marks FC's 20th win of the season, which is the first of many more to come under head coach Chad Baum, who took over the reigns in 2019.

Ranked 24th in the state (previously 14th), Fullerton is 20-15 overall and is in the hunt for its first playoff berth since 2016.

The Chargers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on a solo jack by Mario Tostado, but the Hornets tied it up in the top of the third thanks to Isaiah Marquez's double to left field scoring Bryce Gamble.

Cypress pushed ahead 2-1 in the third on Brenden Harris' single to right field plating Eddie Hacopian.

FC took a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning on a bases-loaded single by Dominic Martinez that scored Niko Santamaria, and Miguel Ortiz worked the count for a walk that brought in Jared Benash.

Again, Cypress forced another tie in the sixth when Peter Werth cracked a deep SAC fly to center field giving Dean Toigo the chance to come home from third.

Fullerton broke loose in the seventh ripping off 7 runs for a 10-3 advantage. Runs were batted in by Jacob Sharp, Miguel Ortiz, Marco Malerba, Kaipo Haole, Jared Benash, and Dominic Martinez.

The healthy Hornet lead was not safe as the Chargers forced in 5 runs cutting the score to 10-8. Ryan White popped a single to left field cashing in Isaac Rodriguez, and Dean Toigo rocked a grand slam over the fence.

In the top of the ninth, Fullerton added 3 more runs to secure the win. Marco Malerba earned a walk with bases loaded scoring Jared Benash, Kaipo Haole reached first on an error allowing Dominic Martinez to score, and Garet Crenshaw knocked a single to center field that brought Jacob Sharp across.

FC starter Joel Martinez (4-2) was solid on the bump earning the win going 6 innings with 7 hits against, 3 earned runs, walked 2, and had 2 K's. Reliever Joe Linehan threw 2 innings with 4 hits, 4 earned runs, a walk, and 3 strikeouts. Ryan Chavez closed it out in the final inning giving up a hit with a strikeout.

Up Next: The Hornets (20-15 overall, 8-8 OEC) will host Cypress College for the second game of the three-game OEC series this Thursday, April 21st at 2:00 pm.