Brandon Boesch allowed just an unearned run in eight innings as Pepperdine
beat second-ranked Cal State Fullerton, 2-1, in a nonconference game at
Eddy D. Field Stadium Wednesday afternoon.
The Titans, whose last five losses have been by one run, fell to 24-7.
Pepperdine, which had been outscored by the Titans, 26-3, in its last
two meetings, improved to 16-14.
Boesch, who yielded seven hits, walked one and struck out two, improved
to 4-4. Kea Kometani struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth
to pick up his sixth save. Titan starter John Tucker, who allowed just
two runs (one earned) in five innings was the hard-luck loser to fall
to 2-1.Travis Ingle and Chad Cordero did not allow a run over the final
three innings.
Pepperdine scored the game's first run in the third. David Uribes doubled
with one out, but hustled to third base when Shane Costa's errant throw
got away from shortstop Justin Smyres. That allowed Uribes to score on
a wild pitch by Tucker, his first of the season.
Pepperdine ran its lead to 2-0 in the fourth when Taylor Klozowski singled
to open the frame and came around to score on a sac fly by David Kelly.
The Titans finally broke through against Boesch in the seventh, though
they got some help from the Pepperdine defense. Waves right fielder Cory
Brightwell was charged with a two-base error when he misplayed a fly ball
off Richie Burgos' bat to open the seventh. Burgos moved to third on a
sac bunt by Justin Smyres and scored when Kyle Boyer -- coming off the
bench for the first time this season -- drilled a double off the glove
of third baseman David Kelly and down the line.
Fullerton had another scoring chance in the eighth, but Kurt Suzuki grounded
into an inning-ending double play with runners on first and third.
Burgos was the only Titan with two hits. Every Pepperdine starter had
at least one hit with Brightwell collecting three.
Fullerton will open Big West Conference play this weekend with a home
series against Pacific.
