FULLERTON, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton scored seven runs in the seventh inning to complete the comeback victory over UC Santa Barbara with a 9-7 win Saturday night at Goodwin Field.
The Titans (12-12, 1-1) trailed by as many as five runs in the game and were down 6-2 heading into the seventh inning before starting the rally to defeat UCSB (18-5, 1-1). The five-run comeback victory is the largest come-from-behind win of the season.
Brett Borgogno and Sahid Valenzuela got the rally going in the seventh inning with back-to-back singles followed by a walk from Isaiah Garcia to load the bases with no outs. Borgogno set a new season-high and tied a career-high with three hits on the night as he went 3-for-5. He also tied a career-high with two RBI to go along with two runs.
Jairus Richards once again come up clutch as a pinch-hitter with a single to drive in two runs and bring the Titans within two. Richards was perfect at the play, going 2-for-2 with two RBI and one run.
Jairus Richards works a 4 pitch wal.......nevermind.....he hits a 2-RBI single through the right side to cut the UCSB lead to two, 6-4 in the B7 #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/vofEwoGZpb
— Titans Baseball (@FullertonBSB) March 31, 2019
Two batters later, freshman catcher Kameron Guangorena hit an infield single to once again load the bases. Guangorena also tied a season-high and career-high with three hits on the even, going 3-for-5 at the dish with one run.
One of the Titans veteran leaders and most consistent bats, Mitchell Berryhill, followed up with a double to right field to drive in Richards and Garcia and tie the game at 6-6. Fullerton would go on to score three more runs including two on a double down the right field line by Borgogno to take a 9-7 lead.
TIE BALL GAME!!!! @mberryhill21 ropes one to right field to bring in two runners to tie the game, 6-6 in the B7 #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/JAQaiHWLbl
— Titans Baseball (@FullertonBSB) March 31, 2019
BRETT BORGOGNO TRIPLE!!! @Brett_borgogno drives one to RF to score two more runs for the Titans. The Titans take a 9-6 lead here in the B7 #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/CUCEUfCiRz
— Titans Baseball (@FullertonBSB) March 31, 2019
Four of the seven runs in the inning were scored on the Gauchos best relief pitcher, Chris Lincoln who came into the night with a 2-0 record and a 2.89 ERA along with six saves. The Titans handed Lincoln his first loss of the season.
Fullerton relied on some young arms out of the bullpen to close the game out including freshman Titus Groeneweg. In just his fourth appearance of the season, the lefty pitched a terrific game in two innings of work, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out two while picking up his first collegiate victory to give him a 1-0 record.
The freshman closer, Michael Weisberg, was then called on to finish the game out with no outs and a runner on second. Weisberg gave up two hits but didn't allow a run to seal the Titans comeback victory and even the series with UCSB at 1-1.
The Titans and Guachos return to Goodwin Field Sunday afternoon for the rubber game to see who will win the series in the first conference series of the season. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. PT.
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