COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Titans Turn Table on No. 18 Fresno

Coach Larry Cochell had suffered plenty in his first two seasons at Cal State Fullerton thanks to Fresno State.

In 1988, Fresno swept a three-game series to clinch the conference title at Fullerton.

Last season, Fresno won three one-run games at home to end Fullerton’s season.

So it was with a certain uneasiness that Cochell approached Thursday’s Big West Conference game with the Bulldogs, who were undefeated in conference and ranked 18th in the Baseball America poll.

But as it turned out, Cochell had little to worry about as Huck Flener pitched 5 1/3 innings of no-hit ball to help Fullerton to a 6-3 victory over Fresno (27-12, 6-1 in conference) in front of about 300 at Titan Field.

Flener, a junior left-hander, lost his no-hit bid and shutout when Steve Bosco hit a solo home run down the left-field line with one out in the sixth. Flener (6-1) struggled in the seventh and was removed with two outs in the eighth after allowing six hits and three runs, striking out seven.

Flener was the starter Tuesday in Fullerton’s 65 loss to USC, but lasted only two-thirds of an inning, giving up three hits and four runs.

“I have no excuses for Tuesday night,” Flener said. “(Tonight) I hit my spots really well with my fastball.”

Chris Robinson replaced Flener in the eighth and gave up one run, earning his third save.

“It was nice to get,” Cochell said. of his first victory over Fresno. “The name of the game is pitching and we got it tonight.”

Fullerton (19-16, 3-1) performed well offensively as well. The unranked Titans had 13 hits and two sacrifice bunts that led to runs.

In the first inning, Phil Nevin walked and took second on a single by Mate Borgogno. After a sacrifice by Rich Gonzales, Nevin scored on an RBI single by Bunch, giving Fullerton a 1-0 lead.

The Titans added four more in the fifth, including two on Frank Charles’ triple, to take a 5-0 lead.

In the seventh, Gonzales reached on a bunt single, was sacrificed to second, and scored on a two-out single by Steve Sisco as Fullerton built a 6-1 lead.

Fullerton’s defensive play of the game came when Fresno had the bases loaded with two out in the seventh. Chris Falco hit a hard one-bouncer that just missed a runner, but shortstop Farlow, although screened out, was able to field the ball and make the play to end the inning.