FULLERTON, Calif. ā Cal State Fullerton Baseball defeated Fresno State, 5-4, Saturday night at Goodwin Field to even the series at one game apiece. The Titans are now 3-2 on the year.Ā
Similar to game one, the Titans fell behind early after Fresno State plated two runs in the top half of the second inning.Ā
The Titans took advantage of a few Fresno State mistakes in the fourth inning to get back in the game. Draven Nushida scored from second base on a fielding error by the shortstop to get the Titans on the board. After a walk by Matthew Bardowell loaded the bases, Maddox Latta tied the game at 2-2 on a wild pitch.Ā
From there, chaos ensued. With runners on second and third, the Titans hit into a routine out at first base. However, Wallace got caught in a pickle between third plate and home but was able to dive under a tag to reach safely a third.Ā
The Bulldogs turned their attention to Bardowell who got caught in a pickle between second and third and was eventually thrown out at second, but allowed Wallace enough time to get on his feet and score to give the Titans a 3-2 lead.Ā Ā
The Titans added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to extend their lead to 5-2. Eli Lopez led-off the inning with a single before moving over to second on a sacrifice bunt. The next batter, Moises Guzman, tripled to right center field to drive in Lopez.
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Maddox Latta capped off the inning with an infield single to the second baseman, allowing Guzman to get home and put the Titans up 5-2.Ā
Fresno State quickly responded with two runs in the top of the sixth inning to cut Fullerton's lead to 5-4.Ā
With Fresno State looking to tie or take the lead, Guzman made an incredible play in center field on the first batter of the eighth inning, robbing what would have been a leadoff double or triple.Ā
Later in the eighth inning with runners on the corners and the tying run at third base, the Titans turned to Seth Tomczak out of the bullpen who got a quick out to keep the Titans lead intact.Ā
Tomczak shut the door on the Bulldogs in the ninth inning as well to earn his first save of the season after allowing just one hit in 1.1 innings of work while striking out two batters.Ā
Mikiah Negrete earned his first win as a Titan in his second start of the year. Negrete gave up two earned runs on six hits in five innings of work while walking two and striking out a career-high 10 batters.Ā
The two teams will meet Sunday afternoon at Goodwin Field for game three to decide the series. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. PT.
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