Kurt Suzuki doubled in pinch-runner Bobby Andrews with one out in the
bottom of the ninth to lift sixth-ranked Cal State Fullerton to a come-from-behind
7-6 win over Cal State Northridge in a nonconference game at Goodwin Field
Saturday night.
The Titans, who trailed by five runs after just a half-inning of play,
improved to 20-5 overall and 13-0 at Goodwin Field. Cal State Northridge
dropped to 5-23.
The Titans trailed, 6-5, heading into the final frame, but Kyle Boyer
drilled a one-out double to the right-center field wall and advanced to
third on a wild pitch. After Richie Burgos drew a walk, Titan DH David
Fischer blooped an 0-2 offering from Edward Camacho into right field to
plate Boyer with the tying run. That brought up Suzuki, who collected
the game-winner on another 0-2 pitch from Camacho.
Darric Merrell, making just his second appearance of the season since
being sidelined by an elbow injury, allowed just two hits in five scoreless
innings to earn his first victory. Camacho took the loss to fall to 1-6.
Fullerton had chances to tie the game or take the lead in the seventh
and eighth innings, but couldn't capitalize. The Titans had runners at
first and second with one out in the seventh, but Camacho came on to strike
out Shane Costa and Kyle Boyer -- the Titans' No. 3 and 4 hitters -- to
retire the side. The Titans did manufacture one run in the eighth, but
stranded runners on second and third.
Northridge broke a 29-inning scoreless drought with a five-run first off
Titan starter Dustin Miller. Mark McCauley blasted a two-run homer and
a pair of Titan errors -- including the first career misplay by freshman
second baseman Justin Turner -- led to three unearned runs.
The Titans cut the lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the frame when Shane Costa
drilled his third homer -- a two-run line drive shot down the right field
line that just cleared the wall. The Matadors increased their lead to
6-2 before Fullerton got a leadoff homer from Suzuki in the fifth and
a sac fly from Fischer in the sixth.
Suzuki had a game-high three hits and drove in a pair of runs. Costa and
Boyer each had two hits. McCauley, Brett Cayton and Lek Cole each had
two hits for Northridge.
Fullerton will go for the series sweep on Sunday at 1 p.m.
