FULLERTON, Calif.--- Cal State Fullerton rallied to tie the game on two separate occasions, but couldn't quite get over the hump, as UC Santa Barbara managed to even the series with a 6-3 win over the Titans, Saturday night at Goodwin Field.
Timmy Richards drove in two runs and scored one on a towering home run to left field for the Titans (30-17, 11-6 Big West), while Hank LoForte picked up a career-high three knocks on the night.
Sahid Valenzuela went 2-of-4 with an RBI, while Taylor Byrant also picked up two hits on the night.
John Gavin recorded a quality start, going 6.0 innings while surrendering just three earned runs and striking out five, but recorded the no decision. Jack Pabich (1-2) took the loss for Fullerton, while Steven Ledesma (2-5) earned the win in relief for UC Santa Barbara (21-26, 7-10 Big West).
Austin Bush had another big night for the Gauchos, blasting two home runs and recording four RBI.
Both teams were held scoreless through five, before Bush delivered on the first of his two home runs on the night, powering a two-out two-run shot over the right field fence to put the Gauchos up 2-0 in the fifth.
However, the Titans would respond in the bottom of the sixth, as Richards launched a rocket over the left field fence for a two-run bomb of his own to tie things up at 2-2 after Bryant singled through the left side.
UCSB tacked on another in the seventh to regain the lead, as Billy Fredrick delivered an RBI single to center, after JJ Muno led off the frame with a double.
Once again the Titans matched in their half of the seventh, as Valenzuela delivered a clutch knock through the left side to tie things at 3-3 after Chris Prescott recorded a hit-by-pitch to begin the frame and then advanced to second on a Scott Hurst ground out.
UCSB failed to let up though, scoring another run in the eighth to make it a 4-3 ballgame, while Bush connected on his second two-run homer of the game to make it 6-3.
The Titans had their chances, stranding 10 runners on base for the game.
Fullerton goes for the series win tomorrow at 1 pm PT.
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