LAS VEGAS, Nev.--- Ruben Cardenas collected two hits, including a towering home run over the left field fence, but it wasn't enough, as UNLV defeated seventh-ranked Cal State Fullerton 6-1 in the series opener, Friday night at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
Connor Seabold (1-1) suffered his first loss of the year, tossing 6.0 innings, surrendering 10 hits and four earned runs to go along with four punch outs.
UNLV's Alan Strong (2-0) picked up the win, going 5.1 innings, while surrendering just four hits.
Eight of nine starters picked up knocks for the Rebels on the evening. Fullerton (2-3) had its chances offensively, but just couldn't cash in, as it picked up six hits and drew seven walks, but stranded 11 runners on base.
After a leadoff walk, Seabold settled into a groove early on, retiring six straight rebels in the first and second frames, but in the third UNLV finally broke through.
A double followed by a throwing error by Taylor Bryant gave UNLV runners at the corners with no one out. After a foul out to right field, UNLV strung together three consecutive hits to score four total runs in the inning.
The Rebels tacked on another run in the fourth and sixth frames to put the Titans in their largest hole of the year at 6-0.
In the eighth, Cardenas extended his RBI streak to three straight games, as he yanked a one out, first pitch fastball over the left field fence to put the Titans on the board. He's collected five RBI over the last three contests.
Even though the Titans fell behind, they never quit, as pinch hitters JT McLellan and Zach Weller drew back-to-back walks to start the ninth to put Fullerton in business. However, Tristin Hildebrandt made good contact with a ball, but rolled into a 4-6-3 double play to essentially end the Titan comeback attack.
The Titans will get back after it tomorrow afternoon, as they aim to tie the series up with UNLV at 2:05 pm.
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