Fullerton Scores in 12th Inning to Beat Miami

Mark Kotsay scored on Steve Chatham’s safety squeeze in the 12th inning as Cal State Fullerton defeated Miami, 7-6, in a nonconference baseball game Saturday.

The Titans (43-14) scored two runs in the first inning, but Miami battled back to tie the score, 2-2, in the bottom of the fourth. The Titans took a 6-5 lead in the top of the seventh. In the ninth, Kotsay, Fullerton’s fourth pitcher, could not hold off the Hurricanes and Miami tied it. The score remained tied, 6-6, until Fullerton scored in the 12th.

Tony Martinez hit his eighth home run for the Titans. Kotsay finished with four hits and two runs batted in for Fullerton.

Kirk Irvine picked up his 11th victory, with 1 1/3 innings of relief work. Reliever Mark Chavez closed the door on Miami (40-12) with a perfect inning for his ninth save.