SAN LUIS OBISPO--- The two teams combined for 19 runs and 29 hits, but it was Cal Poly pulling off a 13-7 victory over eighth-ranked Fullerton on Saturday evening out at Baggett Stadium.
For Fullerton (24-13, 6-2 Big West), the loss snaps what was a six-game conference winning streak, however the Titans still have the opportunity to win their eighth series of the season on Sunday. The game was a slugfest from the very beginning, as the Titans at one point scored runs in four consecutive innings, while the Mustangs put up runs in five straight fames.
Four Titans collected multiple hits in the game. Dillon Persinger led the way, going 2-of-3 from the plate with two doubles, a walk, an RBI and a run scored. Taylor Bryant had himself a night, as he collected two knocks, two RBI and a pair of runs scored.
Chris Hudgins went 2-of-3 at the plate with a double, while Scott Hurst went 2-for-4 with a run, walk and an RBI.
Starter John Gavin (5-1) suffered his first loss of the season. He pitched 3.0 innings, gave up seven earned runs on eight hits and two walks, while striking out four. Cal Poly's (17-20, 7-4 Big West) Slater Lee (4-2) earned the win in relief.
Fullerton struck first, as Persinger began the top of the second inning with a double down the left field line. Hunter Cullen laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Persinger to third base, before he eventually scored on an RBI groundout by Ruben Cardenas.
Cal Poly came back with a run of its own in the bottom of the second, as Colby Barrick reached on a one out walk and then eventually stole second base. Alex McKenna then singled through the left side to drive in the run and tie the game at 1-1.
The see-saw battle continued in top of the third, as Fullerton took the lead once again. Hudgins began the frame with a double to left field. Hurst then drove him in with a knock up the middle to put the Titans back on top.
But once again the Mustangs struck back, this time in a big way, plating six runs on five hits to claim a 7-2 lead. Gavin also hit back-to-back batters with the bases loaded to score two for the Mustangs.
Fullerton then scored for the third straight inning, pushing across one after loading the bases with no one out. Bryant led off the frame with a single through the right side, Persinger followed with a walk, while Cullen then reached on an infield knock. Cardenas then drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to left field scoring Bryant who tagged up on the play to make it 7-3
A half inning later, the Mustangs strung together three consecutive hits en route to a two-run inning. Scott Orgin provided the highlight in the frame, as he recorded an RBI triple. Cal Poly took a commanding 9-3 advantage into the fifth.
However, the Titans failed to give up, striking for three runs on five hits to jump back in the ballgame. Five consecutive Titans reached to begin the fifth, with Bryant and Persinger recording RBIs, as Bryant singled up the middle to bring in two and Persinger doubled to left center to score one. Cal Poly was able to get out of the inning without surrendering any more, taking a 9-6 advantage to the bottom of the frame.
The Mustangs wouldn't let the Titans snatch the momentum though, as they got one back in their half of the fifth. Three straight mustangs collected singles to begin the frame with Bradlee Beesley recording a base hit to left to score McKenna. Cal Poly took a 10-6 lead into the sixth.
Cal Poly scored in its fifth straight inning, striking for three runs on three hits and an error, making a 13-6 contest heading to the seventh.
That's where the final score would stand. The Titans will go for the series win tomorrow at 1 pm PT.
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