May 11, 2012
Goleta, Calif. - J.D. Davis, Michael Lorenzen and Matt Chapman homered in an atypical display of Titan power Friday afternoon and Cal State Fullerton held on for a 9-7 Big West Conference victory over UC Santa Barbara.
The No.8-ranked Titans (31-14, 13-3) jumped out to a 9-0 lead and won their fifth in a row to hold onto first place over Long Beach State. The Gauchos (23-23, 9-10) lost their fourth in a row this year and sixth in a row to the Titans dating to 2010.
Starter Dylan Floro (8-3) got a bizarre win. He faced only 15 men in the first five innings but surrendered 8 hits while getting only four outs in the sixth and seventh innings and was charged with all 7 runs. Koby Gauna (1.2 IP) and Lorenzen (1 IP) finished up with Lorenzen logging his 14th save, third most by a Titan in a single season.
Fullerton's home runs were only Nos. 6, 7 and 8 for the team on the season and it was the first multiple-homer game. All of the other 4 runs also scored on extra-base hits as the Titans totaled 3 homers, 2 triples and 2 doubles.
The Titans jumped on starter Kevin Gelinas (2-1) for 5 runs in the first inning. Richy Pedroza led off with a walk and scored on a one-out double by Carlos Lopez. Matt Chapman drew a 2-out walk and both scored on a triple by Anthony Hutting. Davis followed with his third home run to left field.
Lorenzen hit his first homer of the year with Lopez aboard after a fielder's choice to make it 7-0 in the fourth and end Gelinas' day. Pinch-hitter Jared Deacon tripled home Anthony Trajano with an unearned run in the fifth and Chapman's solo homer, his second of the year, made it 9-0 in the sixth and a laugher was pending.
But the Gauchos erupted against Floro in the sixth. Singles by Greg Mahle and Bryce Tafelski and a walk to Brett Vertigan loaded the bases with one out. Lance Roenicke flied out to short center but Brandon Trinkwon singled for two runs and Mark Venning followed with a 2-run double.
Four of the first five Gaucho hitters in the seventh singled and Floro was removed with a 9-5 lead and the bases loaded. Koby Gauna came in to retire the first two of five consecutive hitters but a sacrifice fly and two balks produced two runs.
Lorenzen retired the side in the ninth on 7 pitches.
Chapman led the Titans with 3 hits and also walked. He also made several outstanding plays at third base.
The Titans stranded 10 runners while the Gauchos left only two on base.
The series continues Saturday at 1 p.m. with Kenny Matthews (5-0) going for Fullerton against Andrew Vasquez (6-4).