Senior outfielder Dalton Blaser was one of the few bright spots for the Titans in their 7-2 loss to the San Diego State Aztecs on Tuesday. He went 1-4, including an RBI single in the first innning.
(Patrick Do/Daily Titan Stock Photo)
Following its series victory on the road against UC Irvine last weekend, the Cal State Fullerton baseball team (27-16) headed further south to take on the San Diego State Aztecs (13-30) in its last nonconference road game of the season Tuesday.
Despite CSUF’s 8-1 victory over SDSU at Goodwin Field on March 15, the Aztecs were able to get their revenge on the Titans. Fullerton struggled mightily in Tuesday’s matchup, falling by a score of 7-2 at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
The Titans got off to a fast start in the top of the first inning, when senior outfielder Dalton Blaser smoked an RBI single that scored junior shortstop Timmy Richards from second base. After one inning, the Titans had an early 1-0 lead to work with.
Promptly, in the top of the second, freshman outfielder Ruben Cardenas came around to score off an SDSU throwing error after he stole third base, upping the Titan lead to 2-0.
The early 2-0 lead was short-lived for the Titans as their offense began to sputter. The Aztecs took full advantage of Fullerton’s struggles and finally got their offense going in the bottom of the third with two triples.
Following the leadoff triple by sophomore outfielder Denz’l Chapman and sacrifice fly by sophomore shortstop Alan Trejo, SDSU’s Spencer Thornton dropped the hammer on the Titans with his two-run triple that helped put the Aztecs up 4-2 after three innings.
San Diego State’s offensive onslaught wasn’t through yet, as Trejo came up again in the fourth inning to contribute his second sacrifice fly of the night, extending the Aztecs’ lead to 5-2.
In the bottom of the fifth, SDSU ultimately secured the win by adding two more insurance runs on the board and bringing its lead to 7-2.
San Diego State junior left-handed pitcher Marcus Reyes (1-4) picked up his first win on the season ,while freshman right-handed pitcher Brett Conine (3-3) took the loss for Fullerton.
With his RBI single in the first inning, CSUF outfielder Blaser overtook Tanner Pinkston for most runs batted in on the team with 28.
In the contest, the Titans finished with only six hits whereas the Aztecs finished with 12. However, Fullerton couldn’t manage to get an extra base hit in Tuesday night’s nonconference game.
Although CSUF looked flat in its road loss Tuesday night, the Titans remain at the top of the Big West Conference standings and are currently clinging onto a one game lead over the UC Santa Barbara Highlanders.
Up next, the Titans return home to Goodwin Field to take on UC Riverside for a three-game series this weekend. Despite a subpar 20-21 record overall, the Highlanders are a respectable 7-5 in Big West Conference play.