MALIBU, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton dropped the series opener at Pepperdine by a final score of 6-5 Saturday afternoon at Eddy D. Field Stadium. The Titans are now 4-7 on the year.
The Titans fell behind in the bottom of the third inning on a solo home run by John Peck to put Pepperdine ahead, 1-0.
Fullerton immediately responded as it has all season, tying the game in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI single by Caden Connor to bring home Carter White.
Tie ball game! #TusksUp | @Caden_Connor77 pic.twitter.com/F7xy0RNrjk
— Titans Baseball (@FullertonBSB) March 11, 2023
Connor had a strong game for the Titans, going 3-for-5 at the plate with a double and an RBI. Connor is now hitting .326 on the year with six RBI.
The Titans scored in three consecutive innings (fourth, fifth and sixth) to take a 4-1 lead. In the fifth inning, White singled through the right side of the infield to drive in Brendan Bobo and put the Titans up 2-1. White went 2-for-5 in the game with a run and an RBI.
T5 | @carter__white drives in @brendan_bobo to put the Titans up 2-1! #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/hKIGTQXiR6
— Titans Baseball (@FullertonBSB) March 11, 2023
In the sixth, Cole Urman hit a monster two-run home run to left field to make it a 4-1 game. It is Urman's first of the season and second career home run.
That one's gone! #TusksUp | @cole_urman pic.twitter.com/wQafvfji0p
— Titans Baseball (@FullertonBSB) March 11, 2023
Pepperdine answered with three runs in the bottom half of the sixth inning to tie the game at 4-4 before scoring two more in the seventh to take a 6-4 lead.
The Titans fought back in the ninth, plating one run on a sacrifice fly to right field by Zach Lew to bring in Nate Nankil. However, Fullerton was unable to drive in the tying run from second base with two outs.
Tyler Stultz was dealing on the mound until Pepperdine was able to string together a couple hits in the sixth inning. Stultz went 5.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits while walking three and striking out a season-high nine batters.
Shane Telfer got the start for Pepperdine and allowed four earned runs on seven hits in six innings of work while walking two and striking out six batters.
Bobby Christy (1-0) earned the win for Pepperdine after giving up one earned run on four hits in three innings pitched. Jason Blood (0-1) got the loss, allowing two earned runs on one hit in one inning.
The Titans look to bounce back Sunday against Pepperdine as the two teams will play a doubleheader with game one starting at 11:00 a.m. PT.
WATCH THE TITANS ON ESPN+
Titans fans can now watch home contests exclusively on ESPN+. Cal State Fullerton has built a top-tier production studio to give the viewers an ESPN quality production for Titan Athletics. Additionally, all schools in the Big West Conference are committed to producing ESPN quality streams which will allow fans to watch the Titans on ESPN+ for all road conference games.
FOLLOW THE TITANS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in Titan Athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook/FullertonTitans), Twitter (@FullertonTitans) Instagram (FullertonTitans). In addition, the baseball team has established its own Twitter (FullertonBSB) and Instagram accounts (fullertonbsb).