Orange County Sports / The Colleges : Roundup : Kaub’s Home Run Completes Fullerton’s Rally

It wasn’t the easiest of victories, but it was one that Cal State Fullerton Coach Larry Cochell will gladly take.

Senior first baseman Keith Kaub’s three-run home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Titans to a come-from-behind 8-5 victory over UC Santa Barbara in Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. game Friday at Titan Field.

The victory improves Fullerton’s record to 24-10 overall and 3-2 in conference, as the streaking Titans have won 19 of their last 23 games. Santa Barbara is 16-24, 1-4.

After trailing, 5-4, from the sixth inning, the Titans rallied in the bottom of the ninth, scoring four runs, including Kaub’s game-winning homer.

“This was one of the biggest hits of my career,” Kaub said. “I was guessing a slider and just looking to hit the ball hard.”

The game-winning hit was off left-handed reliever Renay Bryand (1-5), who entered the game in the bottom of the seventh and looked strong until the ninth.

Bryand struck out Greg Mannion to start the ninth, and then Rex Peters singled. Shane Flores doubled to right-center field, scoring Peters to tie the score, 5-5. The Gauchos intentionally walked the next hitter, Mike Ross, to face Kaub.

Kaub hit an 0-1 slider over the left-field fence for his 11th home run of the season, which ties him for the team lead with Ross.

Fullerton pitcher Mark Beck (7-4) was erratic, but he got his fifth complete game. Beck, a sophomore from Mayfair High School in Lakewood, struck out a career-high 15 batters, walked 9 and gave up 3 hits.

Santa Barbara scored two runs in the first inning and two in the second, but Beck gave up only one hit in the final seven innings to earn the victory.

“We got clutch hitting from Kaub and Flores,” Cochell said. “We needed the victory, because I felt we’re not playing as well as we’re capable of.”

Catcher Brent Mayne continued his torrid hitting; he was 3 for 4, extending his hitting streak to 17 games. He is hitting .500 during the streak (38 for 76).

The teams will play again at 7 tonight at Titan Field.

In California Collegiate Athletic Assn. play:

Chapman 4, Cal State Dominguez Hills 3--Matt Patuano recorded his seventh save as Chapman held off host Dominguez Hills for its fourth straight victory. Patuano allowed just one hit in 1 innings after relieving winning pitcher Jim Bennett (4-2). Chapman (19-13-1, 8-3) broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Jeff Kidwiler, who was 2 for 4. The Panthers increased their lead to 4-2 in the eighth on an RBI double by Tony Gardea, who was 2 for 3. Chris Cutliff also had two hits for Chapman. Lenny Hokanson went 2 for 4 with an RBI for Dominguez Hills (11-17, 2-8).

In nonconference softball:

Hawaii Pacific 7-2, Southern California College 0-1--In the first game, Connie Nanone went 2 for 4 with 5 RBIs to lead Hawaii Pacific at Southern California College. Nanone broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning with a three-run homer. Traci Matsumura (7-6) threw a three-hitter for the victory. Susie Hopkins (3-5) was the loser. In the second game, Nanone broke a 1-1 tie in the third with an RBI double. Wanda Villareal (6-4) threw a seven-hitter for Hawaii Pacific (18-10). Cindy Riviere singled in a run for Southern California (7-15). Riviere (3-8) was the losing pitcher.