DAVIS, Calif. – In the top of the ninth and trailing by a run, Richy Pedroza's two-run single up the middle plated the game-tying and go-ahead run as No. 4 Cal State Fullerton completed its comeback with a 4-2 victory over UC Davis on Saturday afternoon at Dobbins Stadium.
With the win, the Titans improve to 27-4 and remain undefeated 5-0 in the Big West Conference, while the Aggies drop to 10-18 overall and 0-5 in league play.
After the Titans scored three runs in the ninth to take the lead, Michael Lorenzen took the mound in the bottom of the inning and retired the side on eight pitches, with a little help from Clay Williamson's highlight catch against the right field wall. For Lorenzen it was his 11th save of the year and his second in as many days.
UC Davis reliever Max Cordy was charged with the loss after allowing three runs, only one earned, on three hits and two walks in two and 2/3 innings of work.
Nursing a 2-1 lead, Cordy loaded the bases with a walk, single and hit batter in the eighth, but got of the jam as the Titans left three stranded when Matt Chapman popped up in foul territory to UC Davis second baseman Steven Patterson.
In the ninth, the Titans were able to complete the rally.
UC Davis shortstop Tino Lipson's error changed the situation from what shout have been two outs in the ninth, to one out and Austin Kingsolver in scoring position at second. Cordy then walked pinch hitter Clay Williamson to put runners at first and second, and a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position before Pedroza drove Cordy's 1-2 offering up the middle, bringing across Kingsolver and Williamson.
Carlos Lopez then beat out a double play to keep the inning alive, and stole second to put himself into scoring position for J.D. Davis, who drove a RBI double off the right field wall, scoring Lopez to add some insurance for the Titans.
Fullerton reliever Tyler Peitzmeier (3-0) was credited with the win after he finished the eighth for the Titans, coaxing John Williams into a double play.
Peitzmeier was pitching in relief of starter Justin Garza, who allowed two runs in seven and 1/3 innings on nine hits while striking out five.
UC Davis starter Spencer Koopmans held Fullerton to one unearned run in six and 1/3 innings on the hill, limiting the Titans to just five hits while walking two batters and striking out two.
Garza faced the minimum through three before UC Davis took a 1-0 lead in the fourth as Lipson led off the bottom of the frame with a single to right center, and moved into scoring position as Lorenzen failed to field the play. Williams then drove a ball down the right field line that fell under the glove of Lopez, allowing Lipson to score the game's first run.
The Aggies doubled their lead to 2-0 in the fifth as another leadoff hit, Spencer Henderson's double down the right field line, proved problematic. He moved to third as Spencer Batty followed with a single to center, and scored when Tanner Bily grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.
Fullerton cut the Aggies' lead in half, 2-1, in the seventh as Lorenzen reached base to lead off the inning when Paul Politi was charged with a fielding error. Lorenzen moved into scoring position – the first Titan batter at second base since the first – on a groundout, before Koopmans walked Matt Chapman. Jake Jefferies then drove his second single of the day into right field, plating the Titans' first run of the day.
Pedroza and Jefferies led the Titans with two hits apiece, while Lipson led UC Davis with a 3-for-4 effort.
The series finale is scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch from Dobbins Stadium on Sunday.
Notes: Currently with a record of 27-4, Fullerton's start is the best for the program since the 1996 squad opened the year 31-2… Fullerton boasts a 15-1 record in road games this season, and the Titans have won their last 10 road games…Michael Lorenzen's reached base streak is now at 20 games…for the first time in 2013, the Titans won after trailing after eight innings…the Titans overcame a two-run deficit for the third time in 2013.