LA JOLLA, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton softball team opened Big West play with a 6-3 victory against UC San Diego (2-14, 0-1) on Friday night. The Titans extended their win streak over the Tritons to nine games, improving to 14-9 on the season and 1-0 in conference play. 

UC San Diego loaded the bases on a double to left field and two walks before capitalizing on a wild pitch with two outs on the board to take a 1-0 lead over the Titans in the conference opener's first inning. Leanna Garcia escaped a second loaded bases situation two batters later, picking up her first strikeout of the game. 

Nataly Lozano turned on a 3-2 count, smashing her third home run of the season over the right field wall in the second inning to tie the game at 1-1. Sarah Coccillos gave the Titans their first lead of the game (2-1) on a short-hopper down the right field line that scored Alexia Lopez (single) from second base. 

See ya ball ??

Nataly Lozano ties the game at 1-1 on her third home run of the season to right field!!#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/fU3A9sA7v8

— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) March 8, 2025

The Titans extended their lead over UC San Diego in the top of the fifth inning to 3-1 on a base hit by Ava Arce. Arce collected 25th RBI of the season, which leads both the team and The Big West. 

25 RBI for No. 25

Ava Arce leads the Titans and Big West with 25 RBI, ranking in the Top 50 for most RBIs across the nation. #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/FtNcKJnL6A

— Titans Softball (@Fullerton_SB) March 8, 2025

A deep fly ball over the center fielder's head in the seventh inning recorded the fifth double of the season for Lozano, advancing Sarah Perez into scoring position at third base with no outs on the board. This marked the freshman's ninth extra base hit and fourth multi-hit game of the year. 

The TItans extended their lead over the Tritons to 4-1 on a fielder's choice by Lopez that scored Sarah Perez, before plating two more runs on a hit by Coccillos for a 6-1 lead over the Tritons. 

After a rocky first inning, Garcia found her stride in the circle, cruising through her next five innings of work. Through six innings, Garcia kept the Tritons to one run off five hits. Garcia earned her ninth win of the season, retiring a career-high 11 batters on strikes. 

Trisha McCleskey entered the seventh inning in relief with bases loaded before walking in UC San Diego's second run of the game. The Tritons tacked on a third run before McCleskey ended the game on a strikeout. 

The Titans return to Triton Softball Stadium on Saturday for a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m. 

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