Titans Drop Opener to Arizona State
Sun Devils Tally 10 Hits as they Snap Fullerton's Three-Game Winning Streak
FULLERTON, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton stranded 10 runners on base and allowed a run to score on an error in a 5-3 nonconference loss to Arizona State Tuesday night at Goodwin Field.
Dalton Blaser and Timmy Richards each extended their hitting streaks on Tuesday night as the Titans (6-5) recorded seven hits but left multiple runners on base without scoring a run in three innings, including leaving the bases loaded in the third.
The Sun Devils (9-3) also got a solid outing from Jordan Aboites in his first appearance of the season as he went five innings and allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts.
Freshman Brett Conine took the loss after surrendering four runs on seven hits in four and 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out six. Overall, the Titans pitching staff combined to strike out 12 batters on Tuesday night.
The Sun Devils jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Colby Woodmansee drew a leadoff walk and then advanced to third on a single from catcher Brian Serven. Sebastian Zawada then stepped in and roped a single to left field to bring in Woodmansee. But Conine struck out Ryan Lillard and then got a double-play ball from Andrew Snow to end the inning and limit the damage.
The Titans tied it in their half of the second after Chris Hudgins and Blaser had back-to-back one-out singles. They advanced on a grounder to first and then Hudgins scored on a wild pitch by Sun Devils pitcher Jordan Aboites. Hudgins finished the night 1-for-3 for the Titans.
Arizona State answered in the third with three more hits in the inning and two runs. Jeremy McCuin singled with one out and then Andrew Shaps followed with a single of his own. With runners on first and second, David Greer hammered a double to right that plated McCuin to put Arizona State on top 2-1. Woodmansee then followed with a sacrifice fly to the warning track in center to plat Shaps and put the visitors up 3-1.
The Sun Devils added another run in the fifth to make it 4-1 before the Titans answered back. Tanner Pinkston walked with two outs and then Hudgins was hit by a pitch. Blaser stepped in and singled through the right side to drive in Pinkston and record his fourth straight multi-hit game.
Arizona State got the run back in the next inning as Ryan Lillard tripled to lead off the inning, his first hit of the season. He would come in to score on a passed ball, putting the Sun Devils up 5-2.
Notes: Scott Serigstad tossed three and 1/3 innings of relief, his longest outing of the season. He also fanned four batters to set a new career high… Josh Vargas went 2-for-5 on the day after tallying just three hits in his previous eight games... The Sun Devils are now 31-27 all-time against the Titans, one of just three PAC-12 teams to hold a winning record against Fullerton.