FULLERTON, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton competed with No. 11 UCLA through seven innings of play, but miscues added up in the final two frames, leading the Bruins to come away with a 12-2 victory over the Titans, Tuesday evening at Goodwin Field.
The top of the order in Mitchell Berryhill and Sahid Valenzuela combined to go 2-for-6 with two walks and two RBI to lead the way offensively for Fullerton. Each also drew a walk. Berryhill extending his team-best hit streak to five games, while Valenzuela now boasts a three-game hit streak, collecting seven hits over the last three contests.
Jace Chamberlin picked up an extra base knock, while Daniel Cope went 1 for 3 with a run scored. Hank LoForte contributed with a run scored and a walk as well.
Gavin Velasquez (0-2) got the start and took the loss for the Titans, while UCLA's Ryan Garcia (1-0) tossed 5.0 innings, surrendered three hits and one earned run to get the win.
Tanner Bibee was a bright spot out of the bullpen for the Titans, as he went a career-long 6.0 innings, while surrendering just four hits, giving up just one run and striking out a career-high batters.
UCLA (7-1) got the scoring started in second inning, as it put up a three-spot in the second. However, Fullerton (1-7) would find its way back into the game.
The Titans struck for a run in the bottom of the third. Cope led the frame off with a single to left field, while LoForte and Valenzuela then walked to load up the bases with two outs. Berryhill then continued his clutch play, placing one through the left side to bring home LoForte and cut the deficit to 3-1.
Unfortunately, the Titans ended up leading the bases loaded in the inning.
Cope got action started once again in the seventh inning, as he drew a leadoff walk. Jacob Pavletich placed down a nice bunt to sacrifice him over to second base. Zach Weisz then grounded out, allowing Cope to get to third base. With two outs, Valenzuela stepped up and beat out an infield single deep in the hole at shortstop to pick up the RBI and bring the Titans within 3-2.
However, the Titans never got any closer than that, as the Bruins exploded for nine runs over the final two innings.
Fullerton heads back on the road, as it'll take on Tulane in three game series in New Orleans this weekend, beginning Friday at 4:30 pm PT.
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