NORTHRIDGE, Calif.--- Scott Hurst was perfect at the plate, going 5-for-5 with a school-record equaling four home runs, seven RBI and six runs scored, as the Titans cruised by CSUN 16-7, Saturday afternoon out at Matador Field.
Hurst's four-homer performance ties Fullerton's school record for the most home runs recorded in a game, as Sam Favata also blasted four jacks in a 34-5 victory over La Verne on April 23, 1980. However, Hurst is the only Titan to hit four homers against a current Division I opponent. Hurst and Louisville's Brendan KcKay are the only two players to have hit four home runs in a game this season.
Hurst's seven RBI fall just one shy of the school-record of eight runs driven in set by David Olmedo-Barrera on April 4, 2015. The six runs scored are the most since Austin Diemer scored four runs on March 7, 2014. The five hits go down as the most since Matt Chapman also collected five on April 26, 2015 vs. Hawaii.
Hurst set new career highs in runs scored, hits, RBI and home runs.
Lost in the commotion of Hurst's record-setting performance, was Chris Prescott's career day from the plate, as he went 3-of-4 from the dish with four runs scored, two RBI and a walk. Prescott set new career bests in runs scored, hits and RBI.
Sahid Valenzuela notched his team-leading 19th multi-hit game of the season, going 2-of-4 from the dish with two RBI, two walks and a run scored. Hunter Cullen recorded two wallks and two runs scored.
Starter John Gavin (6-2) was dominant on the mound, as he tossed 6.0 innings of shutout baseball, while surrendering just three hits and striking out three. CSUN's (25-29, 11-12 Big West) Andrew Weston (5-4) suffered the loss, going just 3.1 innings while surrendering three earned runs. He was pulled from the game due to injury.
Fullerton (33-18, 14-6 Big West) scored a season-high 16 runs and clinched its 11th series, marking the most weekend series victories since claiming 14 in 2013.
The Titans wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Hurst worked a 3-2 count and launched the first of his four homers over the right field fence to put Fullerton in front at 1-0.
Hurst continued to provide the offense from the leadoff spot in the third as he shot his second home run of the day over the right field fence, this one a two-run blast, as Prescott reached on a single through the right side a batter previously to make it 3-0.
Fullerton put up a two-spot in the fifth, as Prescott got things started with a one out walk, then Hurst shot a rocket off the left field fence for a double to put runners at second and third before Valenzuela shot a single up the middle to score both runs and make it a commanding 5-0 Titan advantage.
However, the Titans weren't done, as they really put things away in the sixth. The first two Titans were retired to start the frame, but Cullen worked a two out walk to start the rally. He was the first of six straight Titans to reach base in the inning, as Hudgins then singled to left field, followed by a Prescott RBI triple to right center, a Hurst walk, a Valenzuela walk and then a two-run error by the third baseman, as Richards chopped one under his glove to bring in two more for the Titans. Fullerton ended up scoring four runs in the frame to make it a 9-0 Titan lead.
The game was essentially over by this point, but Hurst's day certainly wasn't, as he blasted a three-run shot to left field on another full count with two outs in the inning for his third homer of the day to make it 13-0 Fullerton. Prescott had recorded an RBI in the previous at bat, driving in a run after Persinger and Cullen reached on single and walk respectively.
The Matadors wouldn't go down quietly, as they put up a five-spot in the seventh and two more in the eighth to make it 13-7, but by that point it was too little too late.
The Titans struck for three more runs in the ninth, including Hurst's fourth and final homer of the day, a towering solo shot over the right field scoreboard to put Fullerton on top 14-7. Tristan Hildebrandt then added insult to injury, sending a double down the right field line to score Valenzuela who had walked a batter earlier. Taylor Bryant then shot a single to left field to send home Hildebrandt to bring the game to the final of 16-7.
Fullerton continues to stay alive in the Big West title race, as it remains three games back of Long Beach State with four games left to play. The Titans aim for the series sweep over the Matadors, as the two teams will play again tomorrow at 1 pm PT.
SUPPORT THE TITANS!
Fans can purchase tickets for various Cal State Fullerton athletic events by visiting FullertonTitans.com/Tickets. The Athletic Ticket Office can also be contacted by phone at 657-278-2783 or by email at athletictixs@fullerton.edu. The Ticket Office is located at the Titan House off of Gymnasium Drive at the eastern end of the Intramural Fields and is open from 10 am – 4 pm PT, Monday – Friday.
FOLLOW THE TITANS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in Titan Athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook/FullertonTitans), Twitter (@FullertonTitans) Instagram (FullertonTitans) and Snapchat (FullertonTitans). In addition, the baseball team has established its own Twitter (@BaseballTitans) and Instagram accounts (csf_titanbaseball).
