May 27, 2007
Fullerton, Calif. - Robert Perry's second double of the afternoon broke a 7-7 tie and sparked a three-run seventh inning as No. 22 Long Beach State took the regular-season Big West Conference finale and the series with an 11-8 win on Sunday at Goodwin Field.
The Titans conclude the regular season with a 33-23 overall record and a 10-11 record in Big West play. It is the first time since 1989, and just the second time ever, the Titans have posted a losing conference record. Long Beach State improves to 37-18 overall and 15-6 in league.
The Titans rallied in the ninth inning to load the bases off closer Bryan Shaw, but could not score as the righty notched his 10th save of the year as he struck out Joe Scott to end the game.
David Roberts improved to 4-1 on the year as he was helped by three 49er runs in the top of the seventh inning off losing pitcher Adam Jorgenson (3-2). Perry's double drove home Danny Espinosa with the tie-breaker and Travis Howell and Jason Tweedy each added RBI to give the 49ers the lead for good.
Jorgenson took the loss for the second straight day tossing 1.2 innings in relief, surrendering five runs on five hits without striking out a batter. The 49er runs came on the heels of a dramatic five-run sixth that ended with Josh Fellhauer's second home run of the year, a two-run shot to tie the game at 7-7.
Fullerton did collect 11 hits on the day including three home runs (Fellhauer, Nick Mahin and Clark Hardman) and three doubles, but it wasn't enough as Long Beach countered with five players in double digits in hits and 14 as a team. Brandon Godfrey had three hits for Long Beach, while Josh Fellhauer had three for the Titans to lead all players.
The Titans await their fate by the NCAA Selection Committee as their look for their 16th-consecutive postseason appearance. They will find out Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. PDT as it is broadcast on ESPN with a half hour selection show.
NOTES: The Titans finish with a 10-11 record in the Big West Conference and finish alone in 5th place for just the second time ever in the history of the baseball program. The only other time the Titans have finished in fifth place was back in 1989...With the loss on Sunday, the Titans dropped their fourth consecutive Big West Conference series and fifth of the season...Jake Vasquez, Justin Klipp, Bryan Harris, John Curtis and Evan McArthur were all honored prior to Sunday's ballgame on Senior Day. McArthur, Curtis and Harris are all graduates, having finished up their course workwithin the last few weeks.