FULLERTON, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton manufactured a pair of runs and pitcher Justin Garza picked up his second victory of the year in a 2-1 Big West Conference win over Cal Poly Friday night at Goodwin Field.
The Titans (15-14, 3-2) managed just five hits and scored both runs without the benefit of a hit. The Mustangs (10-17, 1-1) got a complete game by starter Kyle Smith but were held scoreless for the final eight innings of the game.
Jake Jefferies was 0-for-2 but drove in both runs for the Titans on a sacrifice fly and RBI groundout. Five different Titans recorded a hit on the night including Jerrod Bravo, who went 1-for-3 to reach base safely for the 16th consecutive game.
The Mustangs got on the board early after mounting a two-out rally against Garza in the first inning. Brian Mundell walked and then Zack Zehner followed with a single. John Schuknecht then strung the third consecutive hit off Garza in the inning with a single to center field to plate Mundell and give Cal Poly the 1-0 lead.
It would be the only run Garza gave up on the night as the junior was outstanding on the mound. He went seven and 2/3 innings, his longest outing of the season. He allowed just four more hits after the first and struck out seven. He allowed just two base runners to advance to second base or beyond for the rest of the night.
Smith took the loss for the Mustangs despite pitching an eight-inning complete game. He allowed just five hits and two runs, one earned. He struck out seven without issuing a walk.
The Titans tied the game in the fourth inning as Josh Vargas led off with a base hit. He stole second base on the first pitch to Josh Estill and advanced to third on a groundout by the Titans first baseman. Jake Jefferies stepped up and hit a sacrifice fly to right to even the score at 1-1.
It stayed that way until the sixth when the Titans took advantage of some shaky defense from the Mustangs. Dustin Vaught led off with a single and then Estill got a base hit to center, where Jordan Ellis mishandled the ball allowing Vaught to get to third base. Jefferies again stepped up and hit what appeared to be a double-play ball to second baseman Mark Mathias, who flipped to Peter Van Gansen for the out at second. But first baseman Ryan Drobny could not handle the throw for the second out and Vaught scored what proved to be the game-winning run.
Peitzmeier came in and recorded his 10th save in as many opportunities, stranding two runners in the eighth and then getting the last three outs in the ninth.
The teams will return to Goodwin Field on Saturday afternoon to decide the series as freshman John Gavin will take the mound for the Titans while right-hander Andrew Bernstein will throw for the Mustangs. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Notes: The Titans snapped a four-game losing streak to Cal Poly with Friday night's win… Garza's seven strikeouts tied his season high… Vargas has hit safely in four straight games.