FULLERTON, Calif. - Matt Chapman went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and the pitching staff allowed just one run as Cal State Fullerton scored an 8-1 non-conference victory over Fresno State Wednesday night at Goodwin Field.
The Titans (22-18) got even with the Bulldogs (24-22) after dropping a 16-inning game to Fresno State last Wednesday at Beiden Field. The Titans also snapped the Bulldogs five-game winning streak.
Chapman, who did not play in last week's meeting with the Bulldogs at Beiden Field, introduced himself by scorching an RBI double over right fielder Jordan Luplow. Clay Williamson and Tanner Pinkston, who each singled to start the game, came around to score and give the Titans a 2-0 lead.
J.D. Davis followed with a walk and then David Olmedo-Barrera broke the inning open, smacking a double down the right-field line to score both Chapman and Davis and give the Titans a quick 4-0 edge.
They would pile on two more runs in the second inning on a pair of RBI singles from Williamson and Chapman to take a commanding 6-0 lead and they never looked back.
Olmedo-Barrera would finish with his second consecutive multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with a double, walk and two RBIs. He was one of eight Titans to record a base hit on the night and one of five to get multiple hits.
Williamson was 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored and one RBI after batting leadoff for the seventh time this season. Davis went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Taylor Bryant was 2-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored.
Pinkston, Austin Diemer and Keegan Dale each had a hit on Wednesday night, extending their respective hitting streaks. Dale leads the way having hit safely in seven straight games while Pinkston and Diemer each hold six-game streaks.
The Titans pitching staff was stellar on Wednesday night as six pitchers combined to allow the Bulldogs just one run on seven hits. They combined to strike out eight batters while allowing two walks. Junior Koby Gauna was credited with the victory as he went three innings and allowed the lone run of the game on three hits. He walked one and struck out one.
Chad Hockin also went three innings in relief for the Titans, holding the Bulldogs hitless while fanning three.
For the Bulldogs, Jordan Luplow led the way going 2-for-4 with an RBI double in the third inning to record the only run of the night for the visitors. Kevin Viers was also 2-for-4 on the night with Trent Woodward going 1-for-3 with a run scored.
On the mound, Jimmy Lambert took the loss after going just one and 2/3 innings. He allowed seven hits, including four straight to start the game. He was charged with six earned runs and walked a batter.
The Titans will go on a four-game road swing, starting with a critical three-game Big West Conference series at Long Beach State, who sit in third place in the conference, two spots ahead of the Titans.
Notes: Christian Coronado came in to pitch in relief in the eighth inning. It was his first appearance in a game since 2012. He got Tyler Ward to ground out to third base… Wednesday's win marked the conclusion of the Titans five-game home stand. They went 4-1 during that stretch… Williamson has now reached base safely in 13 consecutive games, tied for the second longest streak on the team this season. He is also in the midst of a four-game hitting streak… Chapman recorded his sixth three-RBI game of the year and leads the team with 10 multi-RBI games.