College Baseball Roundup : Fullerton Squeezes In a 2-1 Win Over Gonzaga

Cal State Fullerton scored twice in the second inning and then shut off several late-inning threats by Gonzaga to hang on for a 2-1 nonconference victory at Titan Field Saturday.

The Titans turned double plays in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings to deny Gonzaga rallies.

John Eccles got Fullerton started when he singled in the second inning and went to third on a single by Dann Howitt. Eccles scored on a safety squeeze bunt by Ken Garcia. Howitt scored on a sacrifice fly by Paul Cameron.

Starter Larry Casian went seven innings, giving up 4 hits and striking out 12.

Gonzaga pinch-hitter Clete Wise hit a bloop RBI single in the ninth after a walk, an error and a sacrifice.

But reliever Dean Yamashita got the Titans out of trouble by catching Tom Bennett’s bunt in the air and then throwing to third base for a double play to end the game.

Fullerton (14-8) plays Nevada Reno Monday in the opening round of the Best of the West Tournament at Fresno State. Gonzaga fell to 7-5.

In California Collegiate Athletic Assn. play:

Cal State Los Angeles 9-8, Chapman College 6-2--The host Golden Eagles never lost their leads after scoring three times in the first inning of each game. In the first game, Mike Cruz had three hits and two RBIs to lead the Golden Eagles. Chapman (1-2 in league, 7-13 overall) is at Cal State Dominguez Hills Wednesday.

In South Coast Conference play:

Saddleback College 10, Fullerton 7--Scott Hefner’s two-run single broke a 7-7 tie in the top of the ninth inning as the Gauchos defeated host Fullerton.

Bucky Bollinger opened the ninth for the Gauchos (2-1, 8-3) with a walk. John Seeburger singled and Bill Dodd sacrificed.

Joe Holden was intentionally walked to load the bases before Hefner singled through the hole between third and short to drive in Bollinger and Seeburger.

Todd Inglehart drove in the final run with a sacrifice fly.

Dodd, who pitched the eighth and ninth, got the win to improve his record to 3-2.

Inglehart and Seeburger each hit home runs. Inglehart’s was a three-run homer in the second. Seeburger’s came with one on in the fifth.

Fullerton’s record fell to 1-4 and 4-5.

Cypress 17, Golden West 5--Jim Jackle went 3 for 4 with five RBIs, including a three-run homer in the third inning, to lead the Chargers to the win at Cypress. That home run was Jackle’s eighth of the season. Burt Lizarraga also hit two home runs for the Chargers. Keith Kaub and Eric Shirley each homered for Golden West.

Orange Coast 3, Rancho Santiago 0--Longo Garcia threw the shutout for the Pirates, striking out eight batters and walking four at Orange Coast. Chris Shiflett took the loss for the Dons. OCC raised its record to 3-0 in conference. Rancho Santiago is 3-1.

In NAIA District 3 play:

Southern California College 5-5, Cal Lutheran 4-2--Steve Overeem hit a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning of the first game and Ron Nelson homered in the second to lead the Vanguards to the sweep at SCC. Mark Deushane (3-1) was the winning pitcher in the first game. Tim Fortugno (3-0) won the second. SCC (2-0, 10-6) is at USIU Monday.