SAN DIEGO, Calif.- The Titans came out on a tear, scoring the first four runs of the ballgame, but a tumultuous and controversial fourth inning led to 10 consecutive runs for the Toreros, as Fullerton fell to San Diego 10-4, Tuesday evening at Fowler Park.
Brett Borgogno led the way offensively going 2-of-4 from the dish with a double and a run scored. Sahid Valenzuela contributed with a double and an RBI, while Jace Chamberlin was effective, going 1-for-2 with an RBI. Hank LoForte also picked up an RBI, while Nick Ciandro produced his first collegiate hit and Cody Minnis scored his first run.
Erik Cha was excellent out of the bullpen, tossing 1.2 innings of scoreless baseball, while striking out two. Brett Conine also pitched a scorless frame.
It was another encouraging fast start for the Titan offense, striking in the first inning for the third time over the last five games.
Mitchell Berryhill got things started with a one out walk and then stole second base before Ruben Cardenas walked. Chamberlin then shot a bouncer through the right side to score Berryhill and make it a 1-0 Fullerton lead.
LoForte then mimicked Chamberlin's knock to a tee, as he followed with a base hit through the right side to extend the lead to 2-0.
The Titans kept the pressure on in the fourth, as Borgogno recorded his fifth extra base knock off the year, with a screaming one-out double down the right field line. Ciandro then picked a heck of a time to record his first collegiate knock, punching one by the diving shortstop. The ball was then bobbled by the left fielder, allowing Borgogno to score on some heads up baserunning to make it a 3-0 Titan advantage.
Cody Minnis then scored from first base after Valenzuela came through with a clutch double into the left field corner. Minnis reached on a fielder's choice the previous at bat.
However, with the Titans leading 4-0 entering the bottom of the fourth, drama ensued. With three runs already in, Tanner Bibee ran into some tough luck. A 1-2 pinch was bounced in the dirt and was ruled to hit San Diego's Collard to load up the bases, then instead of what looked to be called strike three on a full count pitch to the very next batter it was called a ball to Houghtby, forcing in a run on a bases loaded walk to tie the game at 4-4. The game seemed to unravel after that, as head coach Rick Vanderhook was ejected the next half inning on a questionable third strike call to Zach Weller.
San Diego went on to score one more in the fifth and three more in the sixth to cap off the 10-4 victory.
The Titans will jump back into conference action this weekend, as they host first place Hawai'i beginning Friday at 7 pm PT.
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