FULLERTON, Calif. – There was never any doubt in this one, as The Titans used a seven-run fourth to muscle their way past Grand Canyon 10-2, to claim the series victory, Saturday evening at Goodwin Field.
For Fullerton (6-10), the win means it has a chance to earn its first series sweep of the season tomorrow afternoon, while the seven-run fourth frame were the most runs the Titans have scored in an inning all season.
Have yourself a night @Brett_borgogno. Brett breaking things down postgame. #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/uRt0b3blC0
— Titan Baseball (@BaseballTitans) March 18, 2018
Tommy Wilson (3-0) was spectacular in his first collegiate start, as he earned the convincing win. He tossed a career-high 7.0 innings, while surrendering just one earned run and scattering seven hits and striking out eight. Joe Wills also made his season debut, recording a scoreless ninth inning.
Hank LoForte was a force offensively, going a perfect 3-of-3 from the plate, while scoring a career-high three runs and jacking his first career home run. Brett Borgogno also went a perfect 3-of-3 from the dish, while driving in two runs, scoring one and blasting a double. Chris Prescott also turned in a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and three runs driven in, thanks to a bases clearing triple in the fourth.
Jake Pavletich and Daniel Cope each chipped in with a hit, RBI and run scored. Jace Chamberlin produced a hit, while Jairus Richards came through with a pinch-hit double and Ruben Cardenas also picked up a hit.
Grand Canyon (6-11) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but it wouldn't last long. The Titans struck for seven runs on five hits in the fourth frame. Cardenas began the onslaught with a single to third base before he stole second base. Cope then was hit by a pitch. LoForte then later walked to load the bases with one out. Pavletich followed with a single to left to drive in a run to take things up at 1-1.
With two outs, Borgogno was plunked in the head with a pitch, but immediately jogged to first base, firing up the dugout and making it a 2-1 Titan advantage. Valenzuela then singled through the left side to drive in another run, but then the real damage was done. Prescott smashed a triple to right field to clear the bases and drive in three runs to make it a 6-1 lead. Cardenas then walked during his second at bat in the inning before Cope drove him in with a double to right center.
With the Titans already leading 7-1, they got one more in the fifth, as LoForte led off the frame with monster shot to right field, marking his first career jack. Borgogno then came through with another RBI, singling to center field, allowing LoForte to score to make it 9-1.
Richards picked up a pinch hit double down the right field line, allowing Jordan Hernandez to score to put the Titans up 10-2 after GCU managed to get one back in the eighth.
Fullerton will go for the series sweep tomorrow at 1 pm PT.
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