FULLERTON, Calif. – They say the best things come in twos, but that certainly wasn't the case Saturday at Goodwin Field, as Hawai'i scored two runs in the fourth, ninth and 10th innings to cap off a dramatic 6-4 extra innings victory over Cal State Fullerton to even the series.
The Titans (18-19, 5-3 Big West) led for the second half of the game, but Hawai'i (21-14, 7-4 Big West) put together a ninth inning rally, scoring two runs on three hits, including a two-run Chayce Ka'aua double to tie the game at 4-4.
Brett Borgogno did his best to give the Titans a chance to score the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, as he roped a one-out double down the left field line to put himself in scoring position. Hank LoForte had the best chance to win it, as smoked a ball, but right at the first baseman for the out.
The Rainbow Warriors went on to score two in the 10th to win it.
LoForte stayed hot offensively, extending his hit streak to 11 games and his on-base streak to 21 games, as he went 2-for-5 from the late with two RBI and a run scored. Mitchell Berryhill also collected a hit, a run scored, a triple and an RBI. Jacob Pavletich collected a knock and score a run, while Jairus Richards did the same. Borgogno recorded a double, while Sahid Valenzuela, Daniel Cope and Chris Prescott all recorded knocks.
Tommy Wilson got the start and was excellent, tossing 6.0 innings, while surrendering two runs on just six hits and fanning seven. Timothy Josten was flawless out of the bullpen, tossing a perfect shutout inning, while recording a strikeout.
Hawai'i struck first, as Dustin Demeter launched a two-run homer to right field to give UH the lead at 2-0 in the fourth.
However, Fullerton responded in a big way in the fifth, striking for four runs in the frame. Pavletich began the frame with a hard hit single to right field. Richards then followed suit with a single through the right side to put runners at first and second. Borgogno then laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third with just one away. Then it was Fullerton's hottest hitter coming through in the clutch, as LoForte shot a double to center to drive in both runs to tie the game at 2-2.
Berryhill then smoked an RBI double to center to score LoForte and give the Titans their first lead of the contest at 3-2. Cardenas then grounded out, but it was good enough to bring in Berryhill from third base to extend the advantage to 4-2.
Hawaii then was able to mount its late rally.
Fullerton goes for the series win, tomorrow at 1 pm PT in the rubber match.
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