FULLERTON, Calif. - Right-hander Thomas Eshelman and catcher A.J. Kennedy each had career nights as Cal State Fullerton blanked No. 5 Texas Tech 4-0 Friday night at Goodwin Field.
The Titans (7-5) won their fifth consecutive game as the offense pounded out 10 hits including six extra-base hits and Eshelman held a Red Raiders (10-2) offense that had outscored their opposition 85-45 going into Friday night scoreless.
Eshelman was outstanding as he set a new career-high with 14 strikeouts en route to his first complete-game shutout of the season. He faced the minimum through five innings and scattered five hits and walked one batter. He allowed two base runners to advance to second base on the night. Eshelman struck out five of the final six batters he faced.
As good as Eshelman was on the mound, his battery mate was just as good at the plate as Kennedy set a new career-high with three doubles as he went 4-for-4 at the dish. He provided all the cushion Eshelman would need with a two-run double in the sixth inning to turn a 1-0 lead into a 3-0 advantage.
The Titans would cap off their scoring in the eighth inning as Jerrod Bravo led off the frame with a triple to right field and then came in to score on a wild pitch by Red Raiders reliever Jacob Patterson.
Bravo finished the night 1-for-3 with the triple, a walk and two runs scored. Jake Jefferies also had an excellent day at the plate as he went 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Josh Estill had the Titans other extra-base hit as he went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
For the Red Raiders, Cameron Smith took the loss as the lefty went five and 1/3 innings. He allowed three earned runs on five hits, walked three and struck out seven.
The teams will return to Goodwin Field Saturday night for the second game of the series as right-hander Justin Garza takes the mound for the Titans while the Red Raiders counter with right-hander Ryan Moseley. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Notes: Josh Vargas went 1-for-3 on the night and has now reached base in 11 straight games along with Jefferies… Tyler Stieb's five-game hitting streak was snapped as he went 0-for-3 but did reach base for the seventh consecutive game with two walks on the night… The Titans shut out consecutive opponents for the first time since blanking CSUN 3-0 and 6-0 on May 23-24, 2014.
