Fullerton gets back on track with second straight Empire League win over Calvary Chapel

Fullerton players celebrate after Friday’s Empire League victory. (PHOTOS: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).

Fullerton’s baseball team got solid pitching from Caden Wise and Evan Terrazas and Christian Robinson blasted a three-run homer to propel the Indians to an 8-3 Empire League victory over Calvary Chapel Friday afternoon at Fullerton. 

After dropping three consecutive games last week, Fullerton (15-8-1, 6-2) rebounded to win both league game this week.

The Indians remain in first place in league, two games ahead of Ocean View in the loss column with four league games to play. Ocean View has one remaining league game left against Fullerton on the last day of the regular season.

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Wise struck out five and was rolling along until the fourth inning when he gave up three runs, highlighted by Hudson Hall’s two-out two-run RBI double that gave the Eagles (10-14-1, 1-7-1) a 3-2 lead. 

“My fastball was working, and my curveball was good, and this win is a big confidence builder as we strive towards the playoffs,” Wise said. 

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Indians quickly countered by scoring five runs to take a 7-3 lead. After Sammy Chacon’s Texas League RBI single that fell in short right field between three Calvary Chapel defenders, Robinson came to the plate and blasted a one-out three-run homer to left.

“I knew it was gone as soon as I hit it,” said Robinson, who’s round tripper was his first of the season and second of his career. “This one is extra special because it’s senior day. When I came to bat, I wanted to hit the ball hard and I think I got a fastball, and it felt good when I hit it.” Robinson also made a spectacular catch in center field to end the top of the second inning.

Wayne Warden added an RBI in the sixth inning as the Indians upped their lead to 8-3 and Terrazas closed the Eagles down to secure the win.

“I felt loose, and it was a special night to pitch on senior day,” said Terrazas, who gave up only two hits over the final three innings. “It’s the time of the season when the games are winding down and we have a more mental approach. We erase the negative stuff and move forward towards the playoffs.”

Indians’ shortstop Zach Fany said it was important for Fullerton to win both games this week.

“We needed to reset after dropping three games last week,” said Fany, a four-year starter, who recently recorded his 100^th career hit. “Last week was an eye opener, and we knew playing at home today we would have more energy. We didn’t get down when we fell behind. We continued to compete.”

Fullerton Coach Shaun Hill said he felt his team would rebound from last week’s setback.

“This is a close-knit bunch,” said Hill. “The Tustin and San Clemente losses served as a wake-up call. You wouldn’t have known these guys lost three games in a row by the way they practiced this week. The seniors really showed a lot of leadership. These guys know how to handle adversity.”

Mason Park and Lazer Rojas notched RBI hits in the first inning as Fullerton took a 2-0 lead that it held until the Eagles rallied for three runs in the fourth. 

“We started six sophomores today; we have a very young team, and they are highly talented and gaining valuable experience,” said Calvary Chapel coach Robert Marshall. “After we took the lead, we gave up a walk, a hit batter and a bloop single and then a home run. You can’t make mistakes like that against a great team, and Fullerton is a great team, and expect to win.”

Notes:

—Fullerton’s Malachi Meni displayed outstanding speed as he scored from first base in the fourth inning after an errant pickoff throw caromed into foul territory down the right field line.

—Twelve Fullerton seniors (Aiden Perez, Christian Robinson, Elijah Angotti, Jerard Dibble, Lazer Rojas, Luke Galvan, Malachi Meni, Miguel Velasquez, Peter Vasquez, Thomas Stoebner, Wayne Warden, and Zach Fany) were honored following the game in a moving ceremony on the field.

—Hudson Hall had two hits and two RBI to lead the Eagles.

—-Fullerton players Luke Galvan and Zach Fany announced they plan to play at Santa Ana College and Golden West College respectively next season.