Postgame Quotes 
FULLERTON, Calif. – The 21st-ranked Cal State Fullerton baseball team erupted for a six-run third inning to open up the Fullerton Regional with a 9-3 victory over Pepperdine at Goodwin Field Friday. The top-seeded Titans advance to the winner's bracket to face second seed No. 19 Arizona State in game four of the regionals Saturday at 8 p.m. PT broadcasted on ESPN3.
With Pepperdine (30-28) taking a 2-1 lead in the top of the third inning, the decisive bottom half was highlighted by a wild Waves' pitching staff that surrendered a whopping five walks, four of which were of the four-pitch variety in addition to three hit by pitches and two defensive errors led to a six-run outburst. Pepperdine starter Jackson McClelland (6-4) issued three consecutive free passes to Fullerton's (35-22) Josh Vargas, Tyler Stieb and David Olmedo-Barrera to open the frame, with the only hit coming from junior Dustin Vaught, while sophomore Timmy Richards added a sacrifice fly.
Cal State Fullerton reliever Miles Chambers (5-3) picked up the win after two and 1/3 innings of shutout relief, stifling the Waves' offense without allowing a hit. The sophomore right-hander from Elverta, Calif. struck out three in his first appearance of the Fullerton Regional. CSF freshman hurler John Gavin received the nod to start on the mound for the Titans, turning in three and 2/3 innings of work while yielding two runs on five hits and striking out six.
The Titans' bullpen continued their stellar relief as sophomores Maxwell Gibbs chalked up two innings of additional scoreless relief and Chad Hockin shut the door on the Waves for a 1-2-3 final inning of work.
The Titans took advantage on an early free pass as Stieb drew a four-pitch walk in the opening frame. Olmeda-Barrera took the first pitch he saw and roped a single to center to place runners at the corners. CSF junior Jerrod Bravo extended his consecutive base-streak to a 39th game with an RBI single to left as Stieb trotted home to give the Titans a 1-0 lead.
Fullerton added another pair of insurance runs in the sixth inning as junior Tanner Pinkston provided a two-run double to left field to bring home Vargas and Stieb who led off the frame with back-to-back singles.
Stieb (2-for-3) scored three times for the second occasion this season and added a pair of walks. Pinkston (2-for-4) drove in three RBIs while Bravo (1-for-4) tallied two RBIs.
Pepperdine grabbed the lead in the third inning as a two-out rally was capped off by RBI singles from Aaron Barnett and Brandon Caruso for a 2-1 advantage before the Waves' miscues would be their ultimate demise.
McClelland (6-4) was chased after two and 1/3 innings of work, yielding seven runs (six earned) on three hits. The right-hander surrendered four of the eight walks on a struggling Waves' pitching staff.
Game Notes: Arizona State (35-21) defeated Clemson (32-28), 7-4, in game of the Regional to meet the Titans in the winner's bracket Saturday…Fullerton extended its win-streak to seven games…The Titans boast a record of 35-9 during Regional play at Goodwin Field…CSF holds a 59-41 overall record against Pepperdine all-time in a series that dates back to 1975, Fullerton's first year at the NCAA Division I level… In the postseason, this was the 10th meeting between the Titans and Waves with Cal State Fullerton holding a 7-3 advantage including a 6-2 mark in Regional play…The Titans have now defeated the Waves twice this season after a 3-0 decision on March 3…Bravo extended his hitting-streak to five games while reaching base for an impressive 39th consecutive contest…Fullerton made its 37th NCAA appearance in its 41 seasons at the Division I level and extended it's string of consecutive appearances to 24 which is good for third in the nation behind Miami (43) and Florida State (38)…This year marks the 12th time Fullerton has been selected to host a regional…The Titans extended their all-time NCAA record to 147-78 including a 97-41 tally in Regional play…Seven different Titans reached base via walk and Vargas now leads the team with 28 walks…Stieb tallied his 20th multi-hit game of the season…The Titans are 27-9 this season when scoring first and 18-6 when scoring a run in the very first inning.
