22nd-ranked Cal State Fullerton exploded for 14 runs and 14 hits over a three inning span and cruised to a 17-3 Big West Conference win at UC Santa Barbara on Saturday.
The teams were scoreless entering the third inning, but that’s when the Titans (19-13, 6-2) began their onslaught with six runs. The key blows were a 3-run home run by shortstop Christian Colon and a 2-run shot by right fielder Tyler Pill. In the inning, center fielder Gary Brown had a bunt single, two stolen bases, and a run scored. For the game, Brown had a hand in nine of Fullerton’s runs as he went 5-for-6 with five RBI and four runs scored.
The Gauchos (16-13, 3-2) got one run back in the bottom of the third when designated hitter Shane Arslan homered to right field.
The Titans didn’t waste time matching Arslan’s home run. First baseman Nick Ramirez, who finished 4-for-5 with four runs scored, collected his only RBI of the day on a home run that was just inside the foul pole down the right field line. Ramirez’s home run started a five-run Fullerton outburst. Brown also had a 2-run home run in the inning.
Ramirez opened the fifth inning with a double to left center and ultimately came around to score on a 2-run triple by Brown. Brown scored one batter later on a single by designated hitter Carlos Lopez to give the Titans a 14-1 lead. Matthew Brady relieved starter Nick Capito and retired Pill on a fly ball to end the inning.
Fullerton scored single runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth, while UCSB had runs in the fifth and six.
Arslan had a single in addition to his home run for the Gauchos, and Gunnar Terhune added a pair of hits. Santa Barbara had just two extra base hits in the game with Marty Mullins adding a double to Arslan’s home run.
Capito (4-3) was tagged with the loss. Of the 14 runs he allowed, 12 were earned. Titan starter Daniel Renken (5-2) tossed six solid innings, allowing three earned runs and seven hits. He struck out eight.
The Gauchos and Titans will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm.
