Sergio Pedroza collected three hits including two doubles and a home run
as No. 2 Cal State Fullerton held off a late UC Irvine rally to defeat
the Anteaters 6-5 in a Big West Conference college baseball game Sunday
afternoon.
With the win, Fullerton reached the 20-win plateau improving to 20-7 overall
and 2-1 in the Big West. Irvine drops its seventh out of the last eight
meeting with the Titans and fall to 14-13 overall and 1-2 in conference.
Lauren Gagnier (3-0) pitched a scoreless seventh inning and was the recipient
of a four-run rally that earned him his third victory of the year.
The Titans collected their four runs off of reliever Nash Robertson to
pull ahead 6-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning of the rubber-match
game. Roberton, came on in relief of Blair Erickson, who combined with
starter Steve Schroer, to hold the Titans to only two runs over the first
six innings. But Robertson in 0.1 innings of work allowed three hits and
four runs (two earned) to cross the plate before being pulled by Dave
Serrano. Robertson picked up the loss and fell to 1-2 on the season.
With two on and one out, Felipe Garcia singled to left to drive in Brett
Pill from second base. Garcia continued on to second base when the left
fielder Erik Johnson misplayed the ball. On the same play Anderson over
threw the third baseman Matt Anderson in an attempt to keep Ronnie Prettyman
from scoring. The throwing error allowed Ronnie Prettyman to score and
advanced Garcia all the way to third base. Danny Dorn then doubled to
drive in Garcia, and was brought in himself on an RBI-single by John Curtis
to conclude the four-run Titan seventh.
Irvine pulled within one run in the top of the eighth off of Vinnie Pestano,
reaching base safely in six straight at bats. They used five hits including
a pinch-hit RBI single by R.J. Brown to get three runs, but were eventually
held off as Pestano struck out three of the last five batters he faced
in the game to give the series to the Titans.
Senior Scott Sarver started Sunday’s game for Fullerton, pitching
well for his third straight outing going 6.0 innings, scattering five
hits and allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out four.
Danny Dorn, who did not start but entered the game after Trevor Mortensen
was lifted due to an injury, collected two doubles in three at bats. He
was joined by Felipe Garcia and Pill who also added a pair of hits each
in the win. Sergio Pedroza also blasted his ninth home run of the year
in the third inning.
Fullerton will next face Loyola Marymount in a midweek game with the Lions
at Goodwin Field before traveling to Cal State Northridge for a three-game
series next weekend. Tuesday’s game time is 6 p.m.
