BIG WEST BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Titan Fortunes Turn Into 9-6 Defeat

It was only a week ago that Cal State Fullerton was cruising along with a seven-game winning streak. Saturday, however, the Titans lost their third consecutive game, a 9-6 defeat to Cal State Long Beach in Big West Conference action that proved Fullerton’s fortunes had indeed turned.

“A triple play didn’t start the day well,” Fullerton Coach Larry Cochell said.

Despite their 15 hits and six runs, the triple play exemplified the Titans’ day. Fullerton consistently had runners on base and consistently failed to advance them.

The triple play came in the top of the second with Fullerton trailing, 3-0. Frank Charles led off the inning with a double and Steve Sisco followed with an infield single to bring up Matt Hattabaugh. Hattabaugh lined to first baseman Don Barbara, who stepped on the bag to force Sisco and threw to second base to force Charles.

It didn’t seem to matter much thereafter, though, as Fullerton scored three runs in the third inning to tie the score.

But from that point on, it was a day for Long Beach as the Titans wasted even more opportunities.

“We had the bases loaded three times and we didn’t even hit the ball,” Cochell said. “We had plenty of opportunities.”

Long Beach, meanwhile, was creating opportunities. The 49ers got three hits with the count at two strikes and no balls.

“We practice that in the batting cages so I guess its paying off,” Long Beach Coach Dave Snow said. “We’re the top-hitting team in the conference, so we’re very confident up there (despite the count).”

Long Beach (29-18-1, 6-6 in conference) scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning, two more in the fourth and was never seriously threatened after that.

The 49ers had 11 hits, seven of which were doubles, and had runners in scoring position every inning.

James Popoff (7-4) gave up seven runs in three innings for the loss. Fullerton used three relievers who faired only slightly better.

Rich Gonzales singled in each of his four at bats for one bright spot for Fullerton.

In another Big West Conference game:

UC Santa Barbara 6, UC Irvine 4--Mike Czarnetzki hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning for host UC Santa Barbara (34-14, 9-5). Steve May (4-3) pitched an inning in relief to take the loss for Irvine (28-22, 5-9).

Chris Gallego had three hits and three RBIs and Ozmar DeChavez had three hits and scored a run for Irvine. The teams conclude the series today at 1 p.m. at UC Santa Barbara.