Dons Defeat First-Place Fullerton

Santa Ana College tightened the Orange Empire Conference softball race by dealing first-place Fullerton its first conference defeat, 3-2, Monday at Hornet Field.

The Dons (15-7, 7-3) ended a scoreless tie in the sixth inning with consecutive singles from Sharmaine Kendrick, Erica Hammontree and Yisinia Paniagua. Winning pitcher Wendi Kralich (15-6) followed with a two-run double.

Fullerton (26-4, 8-1) got one run back in the bottom of the inning and scored again in the seventh on first baseman Melissa Villa’s sacrifice fly. Jessica Fogette lined out to shortstop Hammontree to end the game. Erin Kelly (17-2) suffered the loss, despite striking out nine.

“We needed to [win] for everyone’s sake in the conference, especially ours,” Santa Ana Coach Kim Nutter said.

Paniagua had three hits and Kendrick and Hammontree two each. Villa and center fielder Annie Dedic had Fullerton’s only hits.

In another conference softball game:

Golden West 2, Riverside 1--After Riverside tied the score, 1-1, in the top of the seventh, Golden West’s Tina Tuskewicz hit a bases-loaded single with one out in the bottom of the inning to drive in Dani Garcia with the winning run.

Tuskewicz (9-9) went the distance for the Rustlers (11-12, 4-5), striking out four and walking none.

In Orange Empire Conference men’s golf:

Orange Coast 385, Irvine Valley 387, Golden West 390, Cypress 413--Brian Winston shot a two-under 69 for Orange Coast (15-4, 10-2) at Mesa Verde.