Magdaleno, Tiner lead Pirates to 8-5 win over Hornets

COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College softball team won its third straight home game on Monday as the Pirates topped visiting Fullerton, 8-5, in an Orange Empire Conference matchup.

Briana Magdaleno continued her impressive offensive display, going 4-for-4 with two home runs, two runs scored and five RBI. Katie Kendrick added two hits, two runs and two RBI for Coast (9-19, 4-14 in OEC).

That offense helped support a strong pitching performance by Kellie Tiner, who picked up her ninth win of the season after allowing five runs on 11 hits with one walk and 10 strikeouts.

The Hornets (19-18, 6-12) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first before Coast answered right back with three in the bottom of the frame. Ariana Lopez walked, advanced to second on a ground out and scored on an RBI-single by Kendrick. Magdaleno followed with a two-run shot off of the scoreboard to tie the game at 3.

Hornet slugger Bianca Espinoza homered to left-center in the top of the third, putting Fullerton back out in front, but the Pirates again responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third.

Aliviah Garcia walked with one out, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on another RBI-single by Kendrick. Magdaleno followed with a single to right before Hannah Cavalier brought in Kendrick with a single to right, putting Coast ahead, 5-4.

It stayed that way until the bottom of the sixth. Tajanae Green led off with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lopez and Garcia walked. 

Two batters later, Magdaleno came to the plate and after fouling off several two-strike pitches, she finally found a pitch to drive and she drove it over the left-field fence for a three-run HR, putting the Pirates ahead, 8-4.

The Hornets scored one in the top of the seventh and had the tying run at the plate, but with two outs, Tiner beared down and collected her 10th strikeout to end the game.

Coast returns to action on Wednesday at Riverside City College (3 p.m.). OCC's last home game will be on Monday against Santiago Canyon (3 p.m.).