FULLERTON, Calif. – It certainly wasn't how the Titans envisioned their home opener going, as they dropped a tough 2-0 decision to Nevada, Tuesday evening out at Goodwin Field. Luckily, there is still plenty of baseball left to be played.
For Fullerton (0-4), the loss marks its fourth straight defeat to open the season, which is something that's never happened in the history of the program. However, the Titans have been swept (lost three in a row) at Stanford to begin a season four times in school history and in the previous three instances, some pretty good things ended up happening. They did it in 2000, 2004, 2006 and here in 2018. In 2000, Fullerton made the postseason and won the Big West crown. In 2004, the Titans won their fourth National Championship and in 2006, Fullerton claimed a spot in the College World Series.
Tanner Bibee got the start for the Titans and responded nicely in what would turn into an all-staff day, where Fullerton would use six different pitchers. After getting roughed up Sunday at Stanford, the Mission Viejo, California native responded with 2.0 shutout innings, while allowing just two hits and striking out one.
Tommy Wilson also tossed 2.0 shutout innings, while surrendering two hits and fanning three. Erik Cha and Jimmy Endersby each contributed with a scoreless inning apiece.
Unfortunately, the offense just couldn't get going for Fullerton. Chris Prescott led the way with a 2-for-3 night from the plate, while Ruben Cardenas collected a hit and a walk. Zach Weller and Mitchell Berryhill each went 1-for-2, but no Titan was able to muster a hit for extra bases.
The home opener turned into a rare Tuesday night pitchers' duel, as both teams were held scoreless through six.
In a game this tight, it only takes one mistake to make the difference. Nevada's Hatten Weston reached on fielding error in the seventh, and then two batters later Jaylon McLaughlin connected for a two-out triple to right field to put Nevada up 1-0.
The Wolf Pack (2-2) got one more in the ninth, after a Conor Allard double drove in McLaughlin to bring the eventual final to 2-0.
Nevada's Dalton Gomez got the win, pitching 7.0 shutout innings and fanning five.
Fullerton continues its five-game homestand, as it'll take on the Houston Cougars in a three-game series this weekend, beginning Friday at 7 pm PT at Goodwin Field.
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