COMMUNITY COLLEGE BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Wilson’s Single Sparks Fullerton to Victory in 10th

Matt Wilson’s two-out, run-scoring single in the 10th inning gave Fullerton a 2-1 victory over Rancho Santiago in an Orange Empire Conference baseball game Saturday in Fullerton.

Wilson’s hit scored Bryan Mullings, who had reached base when his attempt at a sacrifice bunt was turned into a force play. After Mullings, Whit Haydon reached on a throwing error by third baseman Derek Brown.

Ramon Apodaca flied to left for the second out before Wilson delivered the winning hit--a bounder just past first baseman Chris Lugo, who ranged far to his right.

J.J. Thobe (6-2), who allowed five hits, two unearned runs and struck out 11 in 9 2/3 innings, took the loss. Fullerton’s other run came in the sixth when Apodaca reached second on a two-base throwing error by shortstop Cory Doll. He scored on a two-out triple by Jason Diplock.

Rancho Santiago’s run came in the second on a home run by Aaron Butler. Tim Carman started for Fullerton and allowed three hits and a run in 6 1/3 innings. He was replaced by Pat Valero in the seventh with two on and one out. Valero hit pinch-hitter Marco Perez, loading the bases, but struck out Tony Truel and got Doll to ground out to first to end the inning.

Valero pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and striking out two for the victory.

Despite the loss, first-place Rancho Santiago (21-9, 14-5 in conference) remains two games ahead of Riverside with five games left. Riverside lost Saturday. Fullerton (16-14-1, 9-10) has beaten Rancho Santiago in three of their four conference games.

In other conference games:

Saddleback 7, Riverside 5--Karl Hardman (2-1) took a no-hitter into the sixth for host Saddleback (14-14-1, 8-11), which stopped a four-game conference losing streak. Nathan Malagon had two home runs and four runs batted in for Saddleback. He has five home runs this season. Bobby Jones hit a grand slam in the eighth for Riverside (21-10, 12-7).

Cypress 12, Golden West 2--Todd Blyleven (7-3) pitched a six-hitter with seven strikeouts and one walk for host Cypress (20-15, 7-12). Greg Cole had two hits and drove in three and Kevin Clark had two hits, including his third home run, and drove in two runs for Cypress. David Schultz had his sixth home run and Rob Walker had two hits for Golden West (14-15-1, 7-12).