SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton (23-13, 3-0 BWC) finished the conference opening weekend with a 3-1 victory over UC Santa Barbara (6-28, 0-3 BWC) to complete the sweep and begin conference play undefeated.
Taylor Dockins got the start in the circle and got things going with consecutive scoreless frames giving Fullerton the early momentum.
Kelsie Whitmore got the offense started with an RBI single in the top of the second to drive in Sam Kennedy, who singled to leadoff the inning.
Fullerton would bring another run across in the top half of the third as Kennedy was mere inches away from a two-run home run, but ended up on second with an RBI double.
Dockins would get into some trouble in the bottom of the third as the first three Gauchos all reached to load the bases, but Dani Martinez would come out of the bullpen to hold UCSB to just one run and strand two.
The Titans would get the run back in the top of the fourth as Alexa Neil got a hold of one to deep center for a solo shot. It marks the third home run of her young career.
From that point it was all Martinez. She retired the first 12 Gauchos she faced before surrendering a hit in the seventh and worked around the single and a walk to close out the ballgame.
It moves the all-time record against UCSB to 118-17 and it's the Titans' sixteenth win when scoring first as they sport a 16-1 record.
TOP PERFORMERS
Sam Kennedy: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, R
Kelsie Whitmore: 2-for-3, RBI, SB
Alexa Neil: 1-for-3, HR, RBI, BB
Taylor Dockins: 2 IP, 3 H, ER, BB
Dani Martinez (W, 9-4): 5 IP, H, BB, 3K (retired first 12 Gauchos she faced)
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