COMMUNITY COLLEGE SOFTBALL : Things Are Going Fullerton’s Way in the Conference Softball Race

There are still three games left in the Orange Empire Conference softball season, but things are lining up in favor of Fullerton.

The Hornets moved into sole possession of first place with a 3-0 victory Monday at Orange Coast. Fullerton, Orange Coast and Cypress started the day tied for first but Cypress lost to Rancho Santiago, 1-0, in 11 innings.

Fullerton (29-11, 13-5 in conference) has taken two of three from Cypress and Orange Coast and would be the top-seeded team from the conference in the Southern California playoffs if the Hornets finish in a tie.

Fullerton’s Alicia Robles (12-5) pitched a five-hitter Monday. She retired the first nine and didn’t allow two runners at the same time until the seventh.

Fullerton’s first run came in the second when Delanie Jessen reached on a throwing error, moved to second on a sacrifice by Angie Guerrero, took third on a single by Lorraine Garcia and scored on another throwing error.

With two outs and no one on in the fifth, Fullerton rallied to take a 3-0 lead. Cindy Escobedo singled and Janalyn Bloomfield followed with a run-batted-in double to right field. Jessen then doubled into the gap in left-center to drive in Bloomfield.

Garcia and Jessen had two hits each for Fullerton, which had nine. Kathy Shortall had two hits, including a double, and Lianne Lopez also had a double for Orange Coast (21-12, 13-5).