PALO ALTO, Calif. - No. 22 Cal State Fullerton got a pair of multi-hit games from outfielder Josh Vargas but the rest of the offense sputtered as the Titans dropped both games of a doubleheader against Stanford Saturday afternoon at Sunken Diamond.
Vargas went 5-for-8 in the two games while Tanner Pinkston had a pair of hits on Saturday to lead a Titans offense that plated just one run and tallied nine hits in the two games.
The pitching staff got a pair of quality starts from Blake Quinn and John Gavin and solid relief from Scott Serigstad and Connor Seabold but it was not enough.
Game One: (Box Score)
Offense came at a premium in the opening game of the day as the teams combined for just five hits through the first six innings of play, but Stanford got a pair of runs on a homer and a two-out single to score a 2-0 win over the Titans.
The Cardinal got on the board first thanks to one swing from third baseman Mikey Diekroeger, who smashed a solo home run over the right field wall to put Stanford up 1-0.
That proved to be enough as both starters were spectacular. Quinn went six and 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out two for Fullerton.
But freshman Tristan Beck got the better end of the pitcher's duel for Stanford, allowing just two hits in six and 1/3 innings. He struck out two with one walk to earn his first career victory. Tyler Thorne went two and 2/3 innings in relief to pick up the save.
The Titans had four hits in the game, three coming from Vargas as he went 3-for-4 with three singles. Tanner Pinkston got the other hit, a line drive off the pitcher in the ninth inning.
Game Two: (Box Score)
The Titans rallied in the fifth to tie the game at 1-1 but Stanford plated the go-ahead run in the bottom half of the frame and the Cardinal pitching made it hold up as Stanford scored the 2-1 win over the Titans in the second game of the day.
The Cardinal jumped out in front again, this time plating a run in the second inning after Jonny Locher doubled to lead off the second inning and then came around to score on an RBI groundout to give Stanford the 1-0 lead.
The Titans finally got on the scoreboard in the fifth to tie the score. Tanner Pinkston led off with a single and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Hildebrandt punched a single through the right side of the infield and Pinkston lumbered around to score, beating a wide throw from Locher in right field.
Stanford answered in its half of the fifth, getting a pair of runners on with a single and a walk. With two outs, Diekroeger singled to center to plate Quinn Brodey from second base to put the hosts up 2-1.
That was the difference as the Titans offense stalled out in the final four innings with Stanford pitchers retiring the last 13 batters of the game. Chris Castellanos earned the win, going six innings and allowing one run on five hits. He struck out two and did not issue a free pass.
Colton Hock shut the door for the Cardinal, garnering the save as he went three innings of scoreless relief. He struck out four and did not allow a hit, retiring all nine batters he faced in order.
In the loss, John Gavin put forth a solid effort, going six innings and giving up just two runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out one. Connor Seabold made his 2016 debut out of the bullpen and was excellent, going two innings of one-hit relief. He struck out four.
The Titans will look to avoid the sweep Sunday afternoon as freshman Colton Eastman will take the mound for Fullerton with Stanford undecided on its starter for the finale.
Notes: Freshman Ruben Cardenas tallied his first career hit in the second game of the doubleheader, roping a single center. He also recorded his first career stolen base in the opening game on Saturday… The opening game of Saturday's doubleheader was the 100th meeting all-time between the Titans and Cardinal. Stanford holds a 58-43 advantage… The Titans are now 22-20 in season openers and 4-14 in road openers on the road… The Titans also started the 2015 season with two straight road losses… Jerrod Bravo entered the season riding a 44-game on-base streak, but failed to reach in both games on Saturday… The Titans have now lost 12 straight games at Stanford dating back to 2002… The Titans dropped the series against the Cardinal, meaning Fullerton still has not won a series in Stanford since 1994.