J.P. Howell fired a three-hitter as fourth-ranked Texas swept a two-game
series against No. 17 Cal State Fullerton with a 3-1 win over the Titans
at Disch-Falk Field Sunday afternoon.
The Longhorns improved to 19-2 overall on the season while Fullerton dropped
to 9-10 and failed in its bid to move above .500 for the first time this
season. The Titans' three hits were their fewest since collecting three
in a 5-0 loss at Baylor on Feb. 10, 2001.
Howell (3-1), who verbally committed to Cal State Fullerton two years
ago before opting for Texas, struck out nine and walked three. Fullerton
starter Ricky Romero also pitched well (three runs on seven hits in 7.0
innings), but took the loss to fall to 3-3.
Fullerton picked up two hits in the first inning, when Kurt Suzuki doubled
to center field and P.J. Pilittere later singled up the middle for a 1-0
Titan lead. But the Titans would not get another hit until Sergio Pedroza
singled with two outs in the ninth.
The Longhorns quickly evened up the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the
first when Michael Hollimon singled, moved to third on Curtis Thigpen's
single and scored when Taylor Teagarden grounded into a double-play.
Romero settled down after the first, allowing just one hit over the next
four innings. But Texas inched ahead in the sixth when Teagarden doubled
and raced home when J.D. Reininger's single up the middle bounced off
the second base bag. Hollimon's sac fly in the seventh gave the Longhorns
an insurance run and a 3-1 lead.
Fullerton returns home for four games this week. The Titans will host
San Diego on Tuesday before welcoming Minnesota into town for a three-game
series next weekend.
