Hornets win in style

Late game heroics from Chelsie Schaal and Natalie DeLeese gave the Fullerton College softball team a thrilling victory over Riverside College, 2-1, Friday afternoon in an Orange Empire Conference game.

Leading 1-0 in the top of the seventh inning, Hornet (19-5, 10-1) pitcher Kelsey Marker found herself in a jam with runners on second and third base. Tiger infielder Rikki Scates laid down a bunt, executing the suicide squeeze to tie the score.

After retiring another RCC (22-7, 11-3) batter, Marker needed one out to escape the inning. With Scates on second, Sonya Urteaga lined a single to center field. Schaal fielded the ball cleanly and fired home to catcher Jordyn Bohon. The freshman endured Scates' attempt to bull her over, ending the threat.

"It was awesome, but it was a team effort," Schaal said. "Jordyn [Bohon] sacrificed her body and was clutch. It's what's expected of you."

Schaal led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a single to right field. Following a Diana Payan walk, Natalie DeLeese entered the batters box.

The sophomore second baseman drilled a single down the right field line, scoring Schaal and giving the Hornets the win.

"It was a grind-it-out game, but we were clutch scoring both of are run with two outs," said Lisa Bassi, Fullerton head coach. "The kids were very focused. Hopefully that focus can catapult us to where we need to be."

With the win, Fullerton avenged its only conference loss to date, a 3-1 struggle at Riverside.

"We got into it, and said 'They are not gonna get us this time, we are going to battle back," Schaal said, who finished with two hits on the afternoon and also scored both of Fullerton's runs.

Marker improved to 7-1 on the season with the win, allowing only four hits and striking out three in her complete game.

With the win, Fullerton improved to 10-1 in OEC, placing them atop the current standings.

"We know we are in the upperechelon and we expect to be a conference contender," Bassi said.

Fullerton hits the road this week for two crucial games against Saddleback College, today, and defending conference champion Cypress College, Friday.

"I think we came into this [season] as the team to beat," Schaal said. "We are playing our 'A' game and are tied for first...we are the team to beat."