Titans Start Late, but Beat Seminoles, 3-1

Cal State Fullerton, held to one hit through six innings by Randy Choate, came to life offensively with a three-run seventh inning Friday night for a 3-1 victory over Florida State in the Anaheim Hilton and Towers Baseball Classic at Titan Field.

The victory was the 10th in a row for the top-ranked Titans after a season-opening loss at Stanford. It was the first loss of the season for Florida State in eight games.

The round-robin tournament matching four teams that reached the College World Series last year continues today with defending national champion Fullerton facing Oklahoma at 7 p.m. USC meets Florida State at 2:30 p.m.

Outfielder Steve Chatham’s bases-loaded, two-run double to right was the big hit in the seventh. Jack Jones singled to open the inning, Mark Kotsay doubled with one out and Brian Loyd was intentionally walked to load the bases for Chatham. Tony Martinez drove in the final run with a single.

Sophomore Scott Hild (2-0) picked up the victory, giving up five hits in six innings. Mark Chavez yielded one hit in the final three innings to earn his second save.

The Seminoles took a 1-0 lead in the second on Scott Zech’s two-out homer to left.

USC beat the Sooners, 8-4, in the first game. Center fielder Jacque Jones had three hits, scored a run and had an RBI and second baseman Wes Rachels drove in two runs to lead the Trojans (9-2).