FULLERTON, Calif. – For the second consecutive game, the Titans scored a combined five runs in the seventh and eighth inning to pull away from Long Beach State, leading to a 6-2 victory Friday night at Goodwin Field.
The Titans put up two runs in the seventh inning to break the 1-1 tie, before adding three insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Fullerton continues its hot streak in the seventh inning, out scoring its opponents 51-10. The Titans have also outplayed their opponents in the eighth this season, scoring 40 runs while holding the opposing bats to 27 runs.
Tanner Bibee had another quality start for the Titans as he pitched six innings, allowing just three hits and one earned run while striking out six Dirtbags. Titus Groeneweg picked up his second win of the season to move to 2-0 after pitching 2.1 innings while giving up two hits and one unearned run.
Nick Avila of Long Beach State moves to 0-5 on the season after going 6.1 innings, allowing three hits and three runs (all unearned) while walking five batters. John Sheaks replaced him in the sixth inning and gave up two hits and three earned runs.
In the bottom of the seventh inning with runners on the corners, Hank LoForte stepped to the plate and was able to break the tie with a deep sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Zach Lew from third.
One batter later, following Brett Borgogno stealing second base, Mitchell Berryhill came up clutch for the Titans with a single to left field with two outs to drive in Borgogno from second and give Fullerton the two run cushion.
The Titans weren't satisfied with their two run lead heading into the eighth inning. With runners on second and third, Jordan Hernandez was able to reach on a fielder's choice after a bouncer to the second baseman that allowed AJ Curtis to score from third. Lew then singled to right field, scoring Kameron Guangorena before Borgogno grounded out on a hard hit ball to third base, driving in Hernandez.
Fullerton returns Saturday afternoon for the final game of the season at Goodwin Field looking to sweep the six-game season series against Long Beach State for the first time since 2013. The Titans will honor six seniors prior to first pitch at 1:00 p.m.
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