For Kotsay, It’s the Same Old Story

Mark Kotsay’s two-run bloop single in the bottom of the ninth inning capped Cal State Fullerton’s three-run rally as the Titans defeated Arizona, 9-8, in a nonconference baseball game Sunday at Titan field.

It was the third game-winning RBI for Kotsay as the top-ranked Titans came back from an 8-2 deficit to score seven consecutive runs and sweep the series.

The Titans’ rally started with two outs in the seventh, when Tony Martinez singled to left. Martinez was replaced by pinch-runner Skip Kiil, who advanced to second when Steve Chatham was hit by a pitch from Arizona’s Ben White.

With a 2-2 count, pinch-hitter Mike Lamb fouled off five pitches before lofting a single to left, which drove in Kiil and enabled Chatham to advance to second. Jack Jones singled to left to load the bases for Kotsay, a junior.

Earlier in the game, Kotsay hit his seventh home run in eight games. He is batting .425 with 18 RBIs in 10 games.

In the series opener Friday, Kotsay hit his sixth home run. He finished Sunday two for three with three RBIs.

Mark Chavez picked up his first victory of the season for the Titans, with two scoreless innings of relief. White (2-1) was the loser.

For Arizona (11-5), Jeff Gjerde went four for four with a home run and two RBIs.

Cal State Fullerton is 9-1 with a nine-game winning streak. The Titans started the 1977 and 1994 seasons with a 12-1 mark and the 1983 season with a 12-1-1 record.

All of the Titans’ victories this season have been against ranked opponents.

Cal State Fullerton will be host to Loyola Marymount at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Titan Field before hosting the 1996 Anaheim Hilton & Towers Baseball Classic next weekend, which features Florida State, Oklahoma and USC.