College Baseball : Gonzaga Salvages Split With Fullerton

Reliever Troy Cunningham got out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning by striking out the side to help Gonzaga University to a 5-4 win and a split of a doubleheader against Cal State Fullerton Friday night at Fullerton.

Fullerton won the opener, 9-2.

Cunningham entered the game with the bases loaded and Gonzaga (7-4) nursing a 3-2 lead. He completed the game for the win.

Chris Spring’s triple in the sixth inning scored Gonzaga’s fourth run, and first basesman Jeff Hainline’s RBI double in the seventh chased Fullerton starter Mike Harkey (3-4).

Fullerton (13-8) won the first game as left fielder Keith Watkins went 3 for 4 with a double and triple, scored 3 runs, had 2 RBIs and stole a base.

Starter Mike Belanger (3-1) was the winner. He pitched five innings and allowing four hits, walked five and struck out seven.

The two teams meet today at 1.

In other college baseball action:

Chapman 5, Cal Poly Pomona 3--Pitcher Rob Glisson (2-3) allowed eight hits while going the distance for the win over the Mustangs (4-13) at Chapman College. Glisson coaxed 17 ground-ball outs.

Shortstop Rob Wolkoys led Chapman (7-11). Wolkoys went 2 for 5, scored 2 runs, had an RBI and stole a base. Teammate Jeff Morrison added two RBI singles, and Brent Ryhlick hit his first home run of the year for the Panthers.

Mike Munoz (0-6) was the loser for Cal Poly Pomona.

In community college action:

Golden West 14, Mt. San Antonio 8--The Rustlers scored seven runs in the eighth inning to blow the South Coast Conference game open in Huntington Beach. Golden West (2-1, 6-5) got two-run singles by Gary Renko, George Medina and Chip Damato during the rally.

Scott Rath hit a two-run home run to right-center field in the first inning for the Rustlers and added a solo homer to left in the fifth. Gregg Martin (1-0) picked up the win. Mt. San Antonio fell to 1-3 and 4-5-1.

Orange Coast 6, Fullerton 2--Sam August (4-0) went the distance, striking out nine and allowing only three hits in the South Coast Conference game at Fullerton.

The Pirates (2-0, 10-4) hit three home runs. Dave Staton hit a two-run home run in the fourth, Joey James hit a two-run homer in the sixth and Ross Ramirez had a solo homer in the sixth. Gary Stotereau (2-1) took the loss for the Hornets (1-3, 5-7).

Rancho Santiago 24, Compton 5--The Dons broke the South Coast Conference game open with 12 runs in the fourth inning at Santa Ana.

Several Dons had a big day at the plate. Matt Beltran went 3 for 3 with two doubles; Jeff Welsh and Chris Chase were 2 for 4 with three RBIs; and Frank Appice was 3 for 5 with three RBIs. Rancho Santiago improved to 3-0 and 9-2. Compton fell to 0-3 in SCC play.