RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton baseball defeated UC Riverside, 5-4, Sunday afternoon at The Plex to secure the series sweep. With the win the Titans improve to 19-11 on the year and 12-3 in Big West play.
For the third consecutive time this series the Titans took an early lead in the top of the first inning. With Moises Guzman at second base, Nate Nankil hit an RBI double to left field to put the Titans up 1-0. Cole Urman then singled to right center field to drive in Nankil and make it a 2-0 game.
Nankil gets the Titans on the board in the first inning! #TusksUp | @nankils619 pic.twitter.com/jWiI60EDIz
— Titans Baseball (@FullertonBSB) April 16, 2023
Urman's turn! #TusksUp | @cole_urman pic.twitter.com/C8Ltf3yKGL
— Titans Baseball (@FullertonBSB) April 16, 2023
Fullerton extended its lead in the top of the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by Zach Lew to bring home Nankil from third base and put the Titans ahead 3-0.
The Titans added another run in the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly by Nankil to drive in JT Navyac from third and extend the lead to 4-0.
Evan Yates had another strong start for the Titans, throwing six shutout innings for the second straight weekend. Yates gave up just four hits while walking three and striking out six batters.
UC Riverside came back to score four runs in the bottom of eighth inning to tie the game at 4-4.
Fullerton immediately responded to retake the lead in the top half of the ninth inning. Navac was hit by a pitch to leadoff the inning before a sacrifice bunt by Carter White put him in scoring position. With one out, Guzman ripped an RBI double to right center field to bring in what would be the game-winning run.
T9 | Titans retake the lead! #TusksUp | @Moi_3131 pic.twitter.com/G17390tHDO
— Titans Baseball (@FullertonBSB) April 16, 2023
The Titans are back in action Tuesday night at Goodwin Field when LMU comes to town for a midweek matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. PT
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