FULLERTON, Calif. – Another late game comeback chance for the Titans fell short as they dropped the series finale against No. 8 Oregon State, 9-8 Sunday afternoon at Goodwin Field. The Titans fall to 17-18 on the year with the loss.
The Titans jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on Andrew Kirchner's fourth home run of the weekend that just got over the left field wall.Â
In the third inning, Oregon State got on the board with a three-run home run to take a 3-1 lead. They added to their lead in the fourth with another three-run shot making it 6-1.
Walks proved to be costly for the Titans on Sunday, as they issued eight walks over the course of the game. Both of Oregon State's three-run home runs were set up by walks, accounting for three of the six runs that came across and scored.
The Titans tacked on two runs with two outs in the fourth inning when Paul Contreras tripled off the center field wall, driving in Matthew Bardowell from second base. Marcos Rosales followed with a single through the right side of the infield to bring home Contreras, making the score 6-3.
Oregon State scored a run in the top of fifth making the score 7-3. With one out and runners on first and second, Ryan Seo was able to come in relief and work out of the jam, getting a strikeout and groundout to limit the damage for the Titans.
Oregon State added a solo shot in the sixth to extend its lead 8-3 .
Contreras led-off the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run over the wall in left center for his fifth home run on the season to make the score 8-4. The sophomore went 2-for-5 on the day with two runs and two RBI.Â
Oregon State continued their offensive surge with a solo home run in the eighth inning, their fourth of the day, to regain a five-run lead.
After the Titans loaded the bases in the eighth, Maddox Latta was able to come across to score on an error with one out to cut the deficit to 9-5. However, the Titans missed a golden opportunity to further cut into Oregon State's lead, leaving the bases loaded.
The Titans continued to battle until the final out in the ninth. After a leadoff walk by Isaiah Gomez, Jakob Schardt delivered a clutch pinch hit single to give the Titans runners on first and second with no outs.Â
Nick Miller then came through with his first hit and RBI of the season with a line drive single to center field, bringing home Isaiah Gomez to cut the deficit to three runs.Â
Two batters later, Kirchner singled through the left side, driving in Jakob Schardt to cut the deficit to 9-7. Kirchner had another impressive day at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a run and two RBI. The redshirt junior now has a Big West-leading 47 RBI this season.Â
The Titans weren't done yet as Eli Lopez continued the rally with a RBI single up the middle to make it 9-8. However, the rally came up short as a struckout ended the game with runners on first and second.Â
Fullerton is back in action Tuesday night as Pepperdine comes to Goodwin Field for a midweek matchup. First pitch is at 6:00 p.m.
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