FULLERTON, Calif. – Colton Eastman nearly did it again for the Titans, as he tossed 5.2 innings of no-hit baseball just a start after tossing the fifth no-hitter in program history. While it didn't ended up being a no-no, the performance was more than enough to carry Fullerton to a 5-1 victory over Cal Poly Friday night at Goodwin Field.
For the Titans (13-15), the win marks their third straight win and third straight Big West Conference home opening victory.
.@EastmanColton talking about his performance and tonight's win over Cal Poly #TusksUp | #EverythingTogether pic.twitter.com/nZWIFBy2ay
— Titan Baseball (@BaseballTitans) April 7, 2018
Before Cal Poly's Kyle Marinconz delivered a single up the middle with two outs in the sixth, Eastman had faced 55 consecutive batters without surrendering a hit. In all Eastman (4-2) tossed 8.0 innings while recording the win, allowing just three hits, one run, but zero earned and fanned eight in what was another unbelievable performance.
Brett Conine was flawless in the ninth, pitching a 1-2-3 inning while striking out two to preserve the win.
Hank LoForte was effective from the leadoff spot, going 2-for-4 with two RBI, a triple and a walk. For different Titans overall collected double-digit hits, including Jacob Pavletich who recorded two knocks, including a double, two runs scored and an RBI.
Sahid Valenuela also came through with two hits and a run scored. Jace Chamberlin went 2-of-4 as well. Daniel Cope chipped in with a double, a run scored and a run driven in. Cardenas also scored a run and recorded a hit. Jairus Richards found himself in the hit column as well.
This one was really never in doubt, as the Titans improved to 10-3 when scoring first this season. Fullerton struck for three in the second frame, as Cope double down the left field line to start things off. Valenzuela reached on a bunt single and Cope moved to third. Pavletich then drove in Cope on a rocket to left center to make it 1-0.
However, LoForte came through with the biggest at bat of the frame, as he took 1-0 pitch for a based loaded two-out triple down the right field line to make it a 3-0 Fullerton lead.
Fullerton got another run in the sixth, as Pavletich began the frame with a double to left center. Richards then came through with an infield single to put runners on the corners. Pavletich then came in to score as Brett Borgogno reached on a fielding error, making the score 4-0.
The Titans then struck again in the seventh, as Cardenas started things off, hustling down the line to beat out an infield single. Chamberlin then recorded an field single, while Cardenas advanced all the way to third on a throwing error. Cope then brought in the run with a sacrifice fly to center to make it a 5-0 advantage.
Cal Poly avoided the shutout, scoring one in the eighth, but the result was really never in doubt.
The Titans go for the series win, Saturday at 2 pm PT.
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