Irvine Valley's baseball team did all of the right things in a 6-2 win over Fullerton that decided the first Orange Empire Conference series of the season.
IVC, ranked No. 12 in Southern California, won two of the three games in the series and improved its record to 14-6 overall and 2-1 in conference. No. 11 Fullerton fell to 11-8 overall and 1-2 in conference.
Irvine Valley got two hits each from sophomore shortstop Tyler Odekirk and sophomore catcher Cole Joy, three hits from freshman second baseman Colin Conroy and another strong effort on the mound from sophomore right-hander John Stevens.
Stevens improved to 4-1 on the season with 8.1 strong innings. He gave up two runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts.
Stevens left with a 6-1 lead in the ninth. Sophomore Austin Reynolds finished the game in the ninth, giving up one hit and one walk with one strikeout.
Fullerton took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a RBI single by Joey Parente.
But Irvine Valley tied the score in the bottom of the fifth on a double down the left field line by Odekirk.
The Lasers then took the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh. Freshman catcher Ryan Gaynor walked and then sophomore designated hitter Robbie Espinosa hit a double.
Gaynor came home on a sacrifice fly by freshman third baseman Cameron Fliege.
An infield single by Conroy to third base allowed Espinosa to score from third and make it a 3-1 IVC lead.
The Lasers broke the game open in the bottom of the eighth inning. With the bases loaded, sophomore pinch-hitter Alec Ceniceros walked to bring in a run and give Irvine Valley a 4-1 lead.
And then freshman center fielder Nick Jacobson hit a two-run single into left field.
The Lasers finished with 10 hits on the day and four stolen bases.
For Fullerton, Thomas Delgadillo went 2 for 4 and Jesse Hayes was 1 for 1 with a double and one RBI. He drove in Fullerton's run in the top of the ninth.
Irvine Valley plays again on Tuesday at home against Golden West at 2 p.m.
