NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton had the game-tying run in scoring position in the eighth and ninth innings but could not drive the run in as CSUN scored a 4-3 Big West Conference victory Saturday afternoon at Matador Field.
The Titans (13-13, 1-1) let a one-run lead slip away thanks to a four-run sixth inning for the Matadors (20-7, 1-1) but clawed back with a pair of runs in the eighth to trim the deficit.
Trailing 4-1 in the eighth, the Titans got consecutive pinch-hit singles from Tristan Hildebrandt and Chris Hudgins to start off the inning. With one out, Tanner Pinkston came through with a pinch-hit single of his own to load the bases and then Hildebrandt scored on a throwing error by right fielder Chester Pak. Tyler Stieb then hit a sacrifice fly to left to make it 4-3. With Josh Vargas pinch running for Pinkston at second base, pinch-hitter Dalton Blaser hit a comebacker to the pitcher to end the inning.
Fullerton had another chance in the ninth as David Olmedo-Barrera led off the inning with an infield single and then stole second base on the very next pitch to get into scoring position. But CSUN relievers Andrew Weston and Joe Ryan combined to get two groundouts and a pop up to end the game.
For the Titans, seven different hitters collected a hit led by Timmy Richards, who went 2-for-3. Dustin Vaught was 1-for-4 with an RBI.
The Titans took a 1-0 lead in the third inning after Stieb was hit by a pitch to start off the frame. He advanced to second base on an errant pick-off attempt by pitcher Jerry Keel and advanced to third on an infield single by Richards. Vaught cashed in Stieb with a one-out single through the right side to put the Titans on top.
It stayed that way until the sixth inning when the Matadors finally touched up Justin Garza for some offense, recording five hits in the inning. Justin Toerner led off with a single but was erased on a fielder's choice after Ryan Raslowsky's bunt attempt went right back to the mound where Garza fielded it and took care of the lead runner.
But that's the last out Garza would record as the next four hitters each reached on a base hit. Nolan Bumstead singled and then catcher Dylan Alexander followed with a single of his own to score Raslowsky and tie the game. Then with runners on first and second, Yusuke Akitoshi hit a double over the left fielder to plate the go-ahead run. Nick Blaser then ended Garza's day with a sharp single to left to score another run. Stieb then had issues handling the ball to allow another run to score on the error and cap off the Matadors' four-run sixth.
Bumstead and Akitoshi each finished the day 2-for-3 with Akitoshi scoring a run and driving in a run.
Garza took the loss as he went five and 1/3 innings and surrendering four runs, three earned, on nine hits. He struck out four.
Keel got the win for CSUN, going seven innings and allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits. He walked two and struck out seven.
The teams will meet in the rubber match on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. as each side will send a freshman to the mound with lefty John Gavin going for the Titans while Rayne Raven will take the hill for the Matadors.
Notes: The Matadors scored a victory over the Titans for the first time since 2012, snapping a seven-game winning streak for Fullerton… Jerrod Bravo drew a walk and has now reached base for 14 straight games… The Titans collected three pinch-hits on Saturday after going into the game with two in the previous 25 games.
