FULLERTON, Calif. – All good things must come to an end, and on Sunday afternoon at Goodwin Field, Cal State Fullerton's 10-game win streak was snapped by 14th-ranked Oregon in a 9-1 Titan loss.
The 17th-ranked Titans committed two early errors, and the Ducks took full advantage, leaving Fullerton too big of a hole to climb out of as Oregon scored nine runs on 14 hits.
The Titans' season-opening 10-game win streak was ended, but CSF is still off to its best start since the 2003 squad opened the year with a record of 15-1.
Oregon was led by Ryan Hambright's 3-for-4 effort as the Ducks' starting third baseman drove in three runs.
Oregon starter Cole Irvin (3-0) tossed seven innings in the win, and allowed just one run while scattering eight hits, issuing just one walk and fanning three.
Fullerton's Grahamm Wiest (1-1) was credited with the loss, after allowing five runs – only two earned –on six hits and one walk while striking out four in six innings. Willie Kuhl, Bryan Conant, Henry Omana, Kyle Murray and Tyler Peitzmeier each appeared in relief.
Oregon took a 2-0 lead with a little help from the Titans in the top of the second. After Brett Thomas led off the inning with a single up the middle, a potential double play was thwarted on Richy Pedroza's throwing error, allowing Thomas to advance to third and Kyle Garlick safely at second with no outs. Hambright plated the first run with a shallow single that dropped in front of Clay Williamson in right field, while Connor Hofmann's squeeze bunt allowed Garlick to score as both runs against Wiest were unearned.
The Ducks added a third run in the fourth as another error caused problems. After walking Garlick, Wiest's throw on a pickoff attempt sailed wide of Carlos Lopez's reach, allowing Garlick to cruise to third before scoring on Hambright's RBI single that found a hole through the right side.
Fullerton chipped away at Oregon's lead, scoring a solo run in the bottom of the fourth as Jake Jefferies' two-out double to left center plated Davis, who led off the bottom of the frame with a single to center.
In the sixth, Oregon put two more runs up on the board to claim a 5-1 advantage. The Ducks led off the inning with back-to-back doubles as Ryon Healy and Thomas switched place, both with drives to left. Thomas moved to third on a groundout before scoring on Hamrbight's third hit and RBI of the game, sending a single to right.
In the seventh, the Ducks tagged on a run to take a 6-1 advantage when J.J. Altobelli led off the inning with a double and later scored on a wild pitch.
In the eighth, Oregon added three runs – the most any team has scored in a single inning against the Titans. The Ducks produced five consecutive hits, started by Shaun Chase's solo home run, while Aaron Payne and Scott Heineman fashioned RBI singles.
Lopez and Jefferies led the Titans at the plate, each batting 3-for-4, respectively.
The Titans return to action this week, playing at San Diego (6 p.m.) on Tuesday and at USC (6 p.m.) on Wednesday. The Titans will then return to Goodwin Field to host a three-game series with Texas A&M beginning on Friday.
Notes: After Oregon took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second, and Cal State Fullerton was unable to answer in the bottom of the frame, it marked time the first time the Titans trailed after an inning in 2013, a total of 91 innings…Fullerton's 10-1 start to the 2013 season is its best since beginning the 2003 campaign with a record of 15-1…Oregon's nine runs and 14 hits were both Fullerton opponent season highs…Shaun Chase's solo home run in the top of the eighth was the second home run the Titan pitching staff has surrendered in 2013…Fullerton's 10-game win streak was its longest since managing an 11-game win streak from Feb. 24-March 13, 2009…Oregon was also the first team to score in three consecutive innings (6,7,8) against the Titans this season…UO's three-run eighth inning was also the most runs a CSF opponent has scored in an inning this season.