FULLERTON, Calif. - Freshman Coby Kauhaahaa's two-run triple in the eighth inning proved to be the difference as Cal State Fullerton scored its eighth straight victory over the Alumni squad, 7-4, Saturday afternoon at Goodwin Field.
Academy and Emmy-Award winning actor and director Kevin Costner (1974-78) suited up fresh off his speech at Dinner with the Titans on Friday night. Costner took part in batting practice and pregame festivities before making his only plate appearance in the top of the second inning. Freshman Colton Eastman, who started the game for the Titans, fanned Costner for the second out of the frame.
Eastman went five innings and allowed three runs on four hits for the Titans on his way to a no-decision.
For the Alumni, Eddie Delzer (1983-84) made his 19th straight start and was up to his old tricks. Facing Josh Vargas, Delzer literally pulled the string on his changeup, stopping the pitch about five feet in front of the plate as Vargas' swing came up empty.
Delzer absorbed his laughs and applause and then Blake Quinn came in to pitch for the Alumni. The transfer from Fresno, Calif. tossed five innings of his own, allowing two runs on four hits.
Other pitchers that saw action included Gavin Velasquez, Dylan Prohoroff and Scott Serigstad, who got the victory. Chad Hockin came in to close the ninth and retired the side, giving up one double and striking out one.
Offensively, Vargas blasted a solo shot to deep right high off the net to tie the score 1-1. In the top of the fourth, Alumni third baseman J.D. Davis (2010, 2012-14) walloped a towering two-run blast off Eastman that bounced high off the batter's eye behind the center field wall to put them back up 3-1. Davis flirted with a homer one at-bat earlier, hitting it to Tyler Stieb at the warning track in center.
The Titans tied the game in the bottom of the seventh but the Alumni reclaimed the lead in the eighth with an RBI double to make it 4-3. In the bottom half of the frame, the Titans plated four runs on four hits, highlighted by Kauhaahaa's triple that put the Titans up 5-4. Tristan Hildebrand smacked a double, his second hit of the day, to plate another run and Dakota Wix laced an RBI single to cap off the scoring and secure the win for the Titans.
The game featured many great Titans from the past with a starting lineup that featured Reed Johnson (1997-99), Carlos Lopez (2009-13), Nick Ramirez (2009-11), Davis, Corey Jones (2007-10), Gary Brown (2008-10), Richy Pedroza (2010-13), Matt Orloff (2009-13), and Jared Deacon (2010-14) with Delzer on the mound and Jeff Nichols (1975-78) serving as the Alumni skipper.
Others that attended included Jack Ramirez (1976-77), Thomas Eshelman (2013-15), Austin Diemer (2012-14), Blake Davis (2003-06), Sean Martin (1999-2003), Joe Scott (2005-09), Jim Betzsold (1991-94), Ryan Owens (1997-99), Robby Matos (1994-95), Spencer Oborn (1999), Anthony Hutting (2010-13), Jared Clark (2005-06, 08-09), Jon Wilhite (2005-08), Ricky Romero (2003-05), Rex Ives (1976-77), Jim Irvine (1973-76), Joe Fraser (1995), Paul Canedo (2007), Jason Windsor (2003-04), Tony Martinez (1995-96), Frank Vilorio (1977-78), Nick Mahin (2007), Matt Chapman (2012-14), Paul Cameron (1986-87), Danny Dorn (2003-06), Dave Pherrin (2005-06), Dave Birosak (2012-13), Jason Dovel (2008-09), Tyler Pill (2009-11), Kevin Rath (2008-10), George Sarkissian (1983-84), Bob Caffrey (1982-84), John Alvarez (1976-78), Rod Klopfer (1989), Gaby Halcovich (1997-98), Steve Rath (1994), Travis Kelly (2007-09), Kirk Bates (1984), Justin Garza (2013-15), Tyler Peitzmeier (2012-15), Mike Rouse (2001), Jason Corapci (2000-03), William Fitzgerald (1990-92), Mike Wilson (1973-74), Brock Floro (2009), Koby Gauna (2012-14), DC Olsen (1992-95), Mike Greenlee (1995-97), Chad Rolish (1993-94), Keegan Dale (2011-14), Willie Kuhl (2012-15), Michael Lorenzen (2011-13), Greg Velazquez (2011-14) and Jon Ward (1993-95)
Current Titans undergraduate assistant coaches Chad Cordero (2001-03) and Sergio Pedroza (2003-05) also played for the Alumni on Saturday afternoon.
The Titans open the 2016 regular season on Feb. 19 when they travel to Stanford for a three game set.
Fullerton's first home series is the following week as the Titans host Indiana beginning Feb. 26.
Line Score
Alumni: 001 200 010 -- 4 8 0
Titans: 001 010 140 -- 7 10 1
