Wilkerson’s Hit Lifts Fullerton in Extra Innings

Kelly Wilkerson’s bases-loaded single in the bottom of the eighth inning gave Fullerton a 3-2 victory over Irvine Valley in an Orange Empire Conference softball game Friday at Fullerton.

Irvine Valley (11-7-1, 0-1 in conference) rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the top of the seventh. Angela Jent hit an RBI single, then Leslie Mangiapani scored on an error to force extra innings.

Fullerton improved to 14-2, 2-0.

In another conference softball game:

Saddleback 9, Orange Coast 0 (5, mercy)--Jodi Smith won her sixth game, striking out seven and giving up only two infield singles for Saddleback (9-2, 2-0).

In nonconference golf:

Orange Coast 383, Mt. San Jacinto 420--Larry Eckels shot a two-over 74 for visiting Orange Coast (8-3) at Seven Hills in Hemet.

In South Coast Conference women’s swimming:

Fullerton’s Benson wins two events--Jamie Benson won the 200 individual medley (2:24.6) and the 100 individual medley for Fullerton (0-1).

In nonconference women’s tennis:

Saddleback 5, Grossmont 4--The Gauchos upset the top-ranked team in the state by winning four of six doubles sets. Marie Hosoi won at singles, 6-2, 6-2, then teamed with Missy Hosoi for a, 6-0, 6-2, victory in doubles.

In nonconference men’s track and field:

San Diego Mesa 80, Fullerton 57, Orange Coast 42--Mike Hancock won the 5,000 meters in 16:09.0 for Orange Coast.

In nonconference women’s track and field:

Fullerton 80.5, San Diego Mesa 76.5, Orange Coast 13--Fullerton rallied late, winning five of the six field events to edge Mesa.

In Orange Empire Conference men’s volleyball:

San Diego Mesa 3, Irvine Valley 2--Beau Bianchi had 23 kills, but Irvine Valley (0-5, 0-5) lost, 15-9, 9-15, 15-3, 4-15, 15-11.