Irvine Valley's baseball team dropped the opening game of its three-game Orange Empire Conferences series against Fullerton, 4-2, at home on Tuesday afternoon.
IVC's record went to 18-14-1 overall and 4-12 in conference. Fullerton improved to 9-21 overall and 4-12 in conference.
The Lasers were down, 4-0, after the top of the sixth inning.
A two-run home run in the top of the sixth by Ryan Penalber gave the Hornets the four-run advantage.
Irvine Valley tried to rally late with a run in the bottom of the sixth and another in the bottom of the seventh.
The Lasers had their chances to get even closer with runners on second and third with no one out in the seventh, but couldn't cash in any more runs.
IVC also put two runners on base in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, but Patrick Showalter was able to close out the game for Fullerton.
Freshman right-hander Brennen Farber took the loss for Irvine Valley. He went six innings and gave up four runs on nine hits with two walks and three strikeouts.
Sophomore Matt Wong pitched three scoreless innings of relief for the Lasers.
Alfredo Castaneda picked up his first win of the year for Fullerton, going six innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits with five strikeouts.
Showalter pitched three innings for the save, giving up just two hits with three strikeouts.
Freshman first baseman Pu'ukani De Sa and freshman left fielder Kyle Dobson each had two hits for IVC. De Sa also had an RBI.
The two teams meet again on Thursday at Fullerton at 2 p.m.
