FULLERTON, Calif. – It was one of those nights where it seemed like the Titans couldn't get any breaks, and as a result Long Beach State managed to hang on to defeat Fullerton 5-2 in the series opener, Friday night at Goodwin Field.
For the Titans (8-11), the loss snaps what was a season-long four-game win streak, while it also ends a string of four consecutive Friday night victories.
Sahid Valenzuela went 1-for-4 with a run scored, while Jairus Richards came off the bench to go 1-for-2 with a run scored. Daniel Cope also contributed with a 1-for-4 night from the dish. Jake Pavletich matched him with a knock.
Colton Eastman (2-2) earned the start and tossed 7.0 innings, struck out five and surrendered four runs on six hits. Eastman also recorded Fullerton's first immaculate inning in the second (Three strikeouts on nine pitches) since Connor Seabold did it on March 12th, 2016 vs. Wichita State.
Jimmy Endersby pitched 2.0 innings in relief and surrendered just a run while fanning two.
Long Beach State struck first, as Jarren Duran hit a home run to right field on the very first pitch of the game, but the Titans immediately responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame.
Valenzuela hustled out an infield single to second to leadoff the frame before he moved up to second thanks to a Mitchell Berryhill sacrifice bunt. Valenzuela then scored on a Cope infield single and a throwing error by Shaq Robinson to tie things up at 1-1.
However, the 49ers put up one in the third, two in the fourth and then another in the eighth to make it a 5-1 advantage. The Titans struck for one in the bottom of the ninth to make it 5-2 and had the tying run at the plate twice, but unfortunately couldn't never get any closer.
Titans will look to even up the series, Saturday at 6 pm PT.
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