Streaks Continue for Fullerton, Powell

Cal State Fullerton and Dante Powell kept streaks going as the Titans beat Nevada, 16-4, in a Big West Conference baseball game Saturday at Reno.

The victory was the 14th consecutive for Fullerton, which has won all 11 conference games. The Titans, 22-7 overall, are ranked fourth in the nation in the Collegiate Baseball poll.

Powell bounced a single over third base in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 18 games. It was his only hit in five at-bats.

Tony Banks, a senior outfielder, had two hits, including a three-run homer in the fourth inning. It would have been a grand slam, except Powell was picked off first in the inning. Banks’ home run gave Fullerton a 12-4 lead. It was his second of the series.

Bret Hemphill and Nate Rodriquez also had home runs for Fullerton, which hit five home runs in a 10-1 victory Friday at Nevada. Rodriquez’s home run was the first at Fullerton for the senior shortstop. He had three hits and drove in five runs.

Hemphill hit his second home run in the ninth with one on.

Dan Ricabal (5-1) had a career-high 12 strikeouts in seven innings to get the victory for the Titans. Ricabal’s only bad inning was the third, in which he allowed two home runs and a double.

Fullerton will try to complete the sweep today when the teams meet at 1 p.m.

Nevada (17-7-1, 0-2) won all 27 home games last season and was 10-1 this season before the Fullerton series.

After today’s game, Fullerton next plays April 8-10 at Las Vegas.