Fullerton Loses in NCAA Baseball Opener

Relief pitcher Allan Ratliff, in a rare starting role, threw a five-hitter and Brian Cornelius singled in the game’s only run Thursday night as Southern University stunned top-seeded Cal State Fullerton, 1-0, in the first round of the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. South II regional baseball tournament.

In other games Thursday, New Orleans routed Louisiana Tech, 18-5, and LSU beat Tulane, 5-3. Southern (31-20) next meets Louisiana Tech (42-13) in the double-elimination tournament. Fullerton (42-16) drops into the loser’s bracket against Tulane (44-17).