TUCSON, Ariz. - Cal State Fullerton tallied four hits and had just two runners advance to third base in a 2-0 nonconference shutout loss to Arizona Wednesday night at Hi Corbett Field.
The Titans (4-3) four-game winning streak was snapped as the Wildcats (5-3) scored twice in the second inning for what turned out to be the only runs scored in the game.
Timmy Richards, Scott Hurst and Dakota Wix each recorded a hit for the Titans and Tyler Stieb had a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning, but Fullerton suffered its second shutout of the season.
Freshman Brett Conine took the loss as he went five innings and allowed two earned runs on five hits. He struck out two and did not allow a walk. He retired the last seven batters he faced.
Scott Serigstad tossed two innings of scoreless relief and Chad Hockin pitched a scoreless eighth to keep the Titans in striking distance.
For the Wildcats, Nathan Bannister got the victory as he allowed just two hits and struck out four. He retired 12 in a row at one point. Bobby Dalbec got his first save of the year, going two and 1/3 innings of relief. He allowed two hits and struck out a pair.
The Wildcats touched up Conine in the second inning, scoring two runs on four straight hits and a sacrifice fly. J.J. Matijevic started the rally with a one-out triple to left-center that caromed high off the wall. Dalbec followed with a single up the middle to bring in the run and put Arizona ahead 1-0.
Justin Behnke punched a single to center and then Louis Boyd laid down a perfect bunt along the third-base line to reach and load the bases. Cesar Salazar then lofted a sacrifice fly to left to bring in the run and put the Wildcats up 2-0.
The Titans put the first two men on base in the top of the third inning to try and mount a response. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners over but a stirkeout and a popup ended the threat. The Titans did not get another runner to third base until the ninth inning, but could not get on the board.
Fullerton will continue its four-game road trip on Friday as the Titans take on Texas Tech in the first of a three-game set. Friday's game will be televised and shown on Fox Sports Prime Ticket. Check your local listings for the channel in your area.
Notes: The Titans are now 1-3 against PAC-12 teams this season with games against Arizona State, UCLA and USC still on the schedule… Fullerton has now lost two straight games to Arizona. The Titans dropped their last meeting with the Wildcats, 10-1, on March 7, 2010… The Titans bullpen still has not allowed an earned run this season in 19 innings of relief… Jerrod Bravo was 0-for-4 with a strikeout, snapping his four-game hitting streak.