FULLERTON, Calif. ā Cal State Fullerton baseball scored seven runs in the ninth inning, walking the game off on a three-run home run by Nico Regino, to defeat UC Riverside 11-8 Friday night at Goodwin Field.Ā
With the win the Titans improve to 11-19 on the year and 4-9 in Big West Conference play.Ā
Fullerton entered the bottom of the ninth inning trailing 8-4 before rattling off a seven-run rally to take game one of the three-game series.Ā
Colby Wallace led-off the inning with a bloop double to center field that fell just between the centerfielder and infielder. Matthew Bardowell then crushed his second home run of the game to left field to give the Titans a much needed spark while cutting the deficit to 8-6.Ā
Max Ortega (3-for-4) continued his strong game with a double to right center field to give the Titans another run in scoring position. With one out, freshman Alijah Ramos stepped up with a double to left field to bring home Ortega and make it a one run game, 8-7.Ā
After advancing to third base on a passed ball, Ramos scored to tie the game at 8-8 on a single to left field by Draven Nushida in his first at-bat of the game. Nushida entered the game as a defensive replacement in the top of the ninth inning.Ā
With two outs and runners on the corners, Regino blasted his first home run of the season to give the Titans a walk-off victory. Regino had an outstanding game at the plate, going 4-for-6 with two runs and three RBI.Ā
Jason Blood got the win for the Titans to improve to 2-2 on the year after pitching 4.1 innings in relief. Blood allowed just one run on three hits while striking out four batters.Ā
Fullerton fell behind in the top of the third inning as UC Riverside scored three runs to take an early lead.Ā
The Titans responded with two runs in the home half of the third on a two-run home run by Bardowell, his first of the season and of the game.Ā
UC Riverside scored one run in the fourth and three in the fifth to take a 7-2 lead.Ā
Fullerton answered once again with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning on a productive infield out by Bardowell to cut the Highlanders lead to 7-3. Bardowell went 2-for-5 on the night with two home runs and a season-high five RBI.Ā
The Highlanders regained the five-run lead with one run in the eighth inning before the Titans answered with a run of their own in the home half of the inning. Maddox Latta singled to left field in the eighth to bring home Waldie Perez and cut the deficit to 8-4.Ā
Mikiah Negrete got no decision in his start after giving up seven runs (four earned) on nine hits while striking out six and walking two batters.Ā
The Titans look to secure the series win in game two against UC Riverside Saturday night at Goodwin Field. Saturday's game has been moved back to a 6:30 p.m. start time due to rain in the forecast.
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