IRVINE, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton (20-32, 13-20) dropped game one of the series to UC Irvine (37-16, 29-8) Friday afternoon by a final score of 10-4. With the win, UC Irvine clinches the Big West title.
After giving up two runs in the bottom of the first inning the Titans battled back to tie the game in the third inning. Jake Harvey led-off the inning with a double to left center field before Caden Connor bunted him over to third. Zach Lew followed up with a double of his own to drive in Harvey and put the Titans on the board.
Harvey had a great game at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two runs and two doubles. Lew had a 2-for-4 day with a run and two RBI.
With Lew standing on second base, Jason Brandow hit a RBI single to right field to even up the game at 2-2. Brandow has a team-high 23 RBI this season.
After tying the game in the third, UC Irvine immediately regained the lead, scoring three runs in the bottom half of the inning. The Anteaters then scored five runs in the seventh to extend their lead.
Fullerton added one more run in the top of the fourth inning on a bases loaded walk earned by Lew for his second RBI of the game and another in the ninth on a RBI single from Deylan Pigford.
Tanner Bibee started the game on the mound and went three innings, allowing five runs in what could be his last appearance as a Titan. If Bibee doesn't make another appearance, he will finish his career with 16 wins and a 3.82 ERA to go along with 236 strikeouts.
The Titans are back at Anteater Ballpark Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m. PT. The games can be viewed on ESPN3.