LAS VEGAS, Nev.--- John Gavin was spectacular for the second straight start to begin the 2017, as he pitched a career-high 7.1 innings of scoreless baseball to lead Fullerton to a 5-0 victory over UNLV on Sunday, clinching the series win out at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
For Fullerton (4-3), the win marks its first road shutout victory since defeating Hawai'i 4-0 back on May 15, 2015, while it also clinched the Titans' second straight series victory to begin the season.
Gavin (2-0) scattered eight hits, struck out six and didn't allow a walk, while Brett Conine came in and finished the job in the eighth and ninth, tossing 1.2 innings of scoreless ball, while allowing just two hits and fanning two.
Chris Hudgins notched his first hit of the season and collected a career-high three RBI, while Jake Pavletich led the Titans with two hits, going 2 of 3 at the plate, recording a double and an RBI.
Ruben Cardenas picked up a knock in three plate appearances and scored two runs on the afternoon, extending his hit steak to six straight games. Taylor Bryant also went 3 of 4 at the plate, scored a run and collected an RBI.
The Titans handed UNLV starter Garrett Poole (1-1) his first defeat of the season, as he went seven strong innings, surrendered six hits and gave up three runs.
Fullerton came out firing early, as Bryant doubled in a run to left field after Tristan Hildebrandt reached on a walk and Cardenas got hit by a pitch. Hudgins then scored the second run of the frame after he grounded out to shortstop, making it 2-0 Titans.
The Titans held on to the slim lead for most of the game until they broke things open in the seventh and eighth frames. Sahid Valenzuela reached on an infield single with one away in the seventh then eventually advanced to second base on a balk. Pavletich took care of the rest, busting a single through the left side to score Valenzuela.
With Fullerton already leading 3-0, it virtually put things away in the eighth, as Hudgins singled up the middle to bring home Cardenas and Bryant, who reached on a fielding error and doubled respectively.
The Titans will look to build a new win streak, as they'll continue their season-long eight-game road swing next weekend in Houston. Fullerton will take on the Houston Cougars in game one of a three-game series, Friday at 4:30 pm PT.
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