Sergio Pedroza's two-run home run with no outs in the top of the ninth
brought the Titans back from a one-run deficit and his diving catch in
right field with the bases loaded saved the game for closer Vinnie Pestano
as top-seeded Cal State Fullerton avoided elimination with an 8-6 victory
over third-seeded Missouri on Sunday evening in front of 1,855 at Goodwin
Field.
The Titans improved to 43-16 overall and will meet second-seeded Arizona
on Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. (PDT). Fullerton must defeat the Wildcats
twice to move on to the super regional round.
Missouri finished its season 40-23 overall.
With the Titans trailing 6-5 entering the ninth, Justin Turner led off
the inning with a single through the left side on the second pitch from
reliever Andrew Johnston (4-5), who then promptly fell behind 2-0 in the
count to Pedroza.
Pedroza, who went 1-for-6 with four strikeouts on Saturday night, then
came through with his biggest hit of the regional, sending the next pitch
from Johnston over the left centerfield wall and giving the Titans the
7-6 lead.
Brett Pill, who went 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and three RBI
on the night, then drew a walk to knock Johnston out of the game in favor
of Taylor Parker. Parker then hit Danny Dorn with his first pitch of the
game and both were moved into scoring position on Trevor Mortensen's pinch-hit
sacrifice bunt.
Ronnie Prettyman was then walked intentionally to load the bases for Jon
Wilhite, who laid down a perfect squeeze bunt back to the mound, scoring
Pill with an important insurance run.
Pestano then came on in the ninth and retired the first two batters in
order before encountering some trouble. Trevor Helms singled and moved
to second when Derek Chambers was hit by a pitch.
James Boone then drew a full count walk to load the bases for cleanup
hitter Jacob Priday who sent a 1-1 offering to right where a charging
Pedroza dove and made the catch to end the game and advance the Titans.
Freshman Adam Jorgenson (2-0) tossed two innings
of hitless ball, striking out a pair to earn the win in relief while Pestano
allowed a hit and a walk to go with a strikeout to earn his 12th save
of the season.
Titan starter Scott Sarver went 5 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on 10
hits while striking out six in the no decision. .Junior Dave Pherrin was
also stellar in relief for Fullerton, striking out one in 2/3 of an inning
of work.
Johnston was charged with three runs on three hits in his three innings
of work in the loss for the Tigers. Starter Nathan Culp allowed five runs
on eight hits, walking two and striking out six in five innings of work.
The Titans scored single runs in each of the first three innings, and
led 5-2 in the fourth after Pill's two-run single up the middle.
The Tigers clawed back to tie it with three runs in the fourth thanks
to Hunter Mense's RBI double and John McKee's first of two home runs on
the day.
McKee gave Missouri its first lead of the day in the sixth, when he blasted
his seventh home run of the year to centerfield to make it 6-5.
Pill and Blake Davis (2-for-5) were the only Titans with multiple hits
on the day while McKee's 3-for-3 performance at the plate led the Tigers'
offense.
QUOTES Missouri head coach Tim Jamieson: (Opening statement) “It was a tough loss to end the
season. We lost to a very good baseball team that knows how to win.
It was an incredible, fun journey with these guys and I hate to see it
end.”
(On Sergio Pedroza’s ninth inning home run) “It was the first
ball that I’ve seen him hit hard all weekend.”
(On Missouri’s play in the regional) “We really thought we
could win this tournament. I really did. The future of this
program is bright, but it’s kind of painful right now. But
we accomplished a lot this season.”
Missouri third baseman John McKee: (On the game) “We knew coming in that we we’re
going to be in for a dogfight. We battled and they battled, but
we just couldn’t do it in the end.”
Missouri first baseman Derek Chambers: (On Missouri’s attitude) “We get down but we’re
never going to quit. We always battle and never roll over.”
