DAVIS, Calif. – This one was never in doubt, as Fullerton led from start to finish, as it earned its fourth shutout victory of the year, blanking UC Davis 5-0 to clinch the series, Saturday afternoon at Dobbins Stadium.
The Titans (24-20, 11-3 Big West) have now won five straight games overall and have claimed victories in five consecutive conference contests for the first time this year. Fullerton has now claimed victories in five straight Big West ballgames for the first time since 2016.
Jairus Richards talking postgame, after notching a career-high three hits, a triple and driving in two runs in today's series clinching victory!#TusksUp | #EverythingTogether pic.twitter.com/PEwnPFr5nP
— Titan Baseball (@BaseballTitans) May 5, 2018
Tommy Wilson (W, 4-0) recorded his fourth quality start of the season, as he shoved for 6.1 shut out innings, while scattering just five hits and striking out three while earning the win. Blake Workman was nails in relief for the second straight game, as he tossed 2.2 shutout innings, didn't allow a hit, while striking out three. He notched his third save of the season.
Four Titans produced multi-hit performances, as the offense tallied 13 hits as a whole. Jairus Richards led the way, collecting a career-high three hits, including a triple, while driving in two. Daniel Cope also posted a three-hit game. He scored a run and notched an RBI.
Hank LoForte extended his on-base streak to 28 games and his hit streak to five, as he went 2-for-4 at the plate and scored a run from the leadoff spot. Ruben Cardenas ran his hit streak to a team-best seven games, as he came through with a hit.
Sahid Valenzuela recorded a double and came up with his 11th multi-hit game of the year, while scoring two runs. Jace Chamberlin recorded a clutch RBI single off the bench.
Just like in game one, the Titans were able to get on the board first. LoForte got things going with a single to right field to begin the third. Back-to-back ground outs by Berryhill and Cardenas allowed LoForte to get to third base. Then it was Cope coming up with the clutch two-out knock through the left side to bring home LoForte and put Fullerton up 1-0.
The timely hits continued in the sixth, this time with Richards providing the big hit. Cope and Valenzuela each reached to begin the frame via HBPs. Pavletich then laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to put the runners at second and third with just one out. Two batters later, Richards dumped a perfectly placed two-out single in center field to bring home Cope and Valenzuela, extending the Titan advantage to 3-0.
The Titans wouldn't let up, as they struck for two more in the eighth. Valenzuela led the frame off with a double down the left field line. He then advanced to third on a balk. Chamberlin then smacked a one-out single to left center to make it a 4-0 lead. Later on, LoForte reached on an error, allowing Cody Minnis to come in and score. Overall the Titans recorded two runs off of three hits in the frame.
Fullerton goes for its second straight series sweep tomorrow in the series finale at 1 pm PT.
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