Titans’ Late Rally Comes Up Short in 10-8 Loss to New Mexico State

New Mexico State survived a four-run, ninth-inning rally to defeat Cal State Fullerton, 10-8, in a Big West Conference baseball game Sunday at Las Cruces, N.M.

It was the first Big West Conference victory in the history of New Mexico State (9-19, 1-5 in conference), which joined the conference this season.

Chris Powell had an RBI double and Jeff Ferguson, Phil Nevin and Tony Banks had RBI singles in the ninth as Fullerton tried to come back.

The Titans had runners on first and third with two outs when New Mexico State’s Bobby Ockerman struck out Jason Moler to end the game.

Ockerman was the starting and losing pitcher in Friday’s 16-6 lost to the Titans, who won two in the three-game series.

Fullerton (19-7, 4-2) had scored three runs in the fourth to cut the New Mexico State lead to 5-4, but the Aggies got one in the fourth to make it 6-4.

Fullerton starter Derek Fahs (1-1) was relieved by Paco Chavez in the sixth after giving up a two-run home run to Alex Kuhn. Chavez gave up two more runs in the inning to put New Mexico State ahead, 10-4.

David Reyes had two home runs and Ferain Lara added another for New Mexico State.

Dante Powell had a home run, his third in the series, for Fullerton. He finished with three RBIs. The Titans hit 11 home runs in the series.

Fullerton plays host to Ohio State at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Amerige Park.