Stanford Exposes Titan Pitching Troubles

Cal State Fullerton’s pitching staff was a question mark going into the new season, but Stanford made it look more like a disaster area at times Saturday night.

Stanford ripped starter John Alkire for eight runs in the first two innings and never had to look back on the way to a 15-5 victory in the second game of a three-game series at Titan Field.

A crowd of 2,026--ninth biggest since the stadium opened in 1992--watched Stanford (3-1) jolt the Titans (1-2) with 16 hits, including three home runs.

It wasn’t until freshman left-hander Mike Garner came on in relief in the fourth that a Titan pitcher showed any semblance of stopping the Cardinal.

Garner, a standout pitcher at Fullerton High last season, held Stanford scoreless in four innings before he gave up a two-run homer to pinch-hitter John Salter in the top of the ninth. Garner pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up four hits. He struck out seven and walked two.

“Even with that homer, we were happy with Garner,” Titan Coach George Horton said. “We had thought about using him Friday night, but we didn’t want to use him in a real difficult situation at first.”

Stanford starter Jeff Austin (2-0) picked up the victory, but he gave up 10 hits and five runs in seven innings. Mike Lamb and Nakia Hill each had home runs against him, but both came with the bases empty. Austin struck out five and walked two. Fullerton had 13 hits but made three errors.

“We pitched below our ability, but Stanford beat us in all three phases of the game,” Horton said. “They were better offensively, pitched better and played better defense.

“We’re concerned about the defense, but it’s hard to play good defense when you’re pitching behind like that.”

Alkire, a junior making his first Titan start since transferring from Tennessee, was in trouble from the start.

Tony Schrager led off with a double and Joe Kilburg’s bunt went for a hit, which opened the door to a big inning. A third consecutive hit, a single by Jody Gerut, produced one run, and Alkire walked Jon Schaeffer to load the bases with none out. A wild pitch brought in another run, and two consecutive infield outs scored two more.

Kilburg nailed Alkire for a three-run homer in the second, and Steve Lawson, a redshirt freshman, came on in relief. Another run scored on an error by Hill, the Titan second baseman, and Steve Lawson replaced Alkire.

The Titans scored three runs in the second, but it wasn’t the big inning it might have been. Lamb homered leading off, and the Titans loaded the bases with none out on a hit by Scott Seal and two consecutive walks. Alviso drilled a single to right, scoring Seal, but the rally lost steam when catcher Craig Patterson struck out and Steve Chatham grounded into a force, although another run scored.

Lawson struck out the first two batters in the third, but Jay Pecci rocked him for a bases-empty homer and Kilburg’s double drove in another run, bringing Tim Baron in from the bullpen.

The Titans scored a run with two out in the third on consecutive doubles by Seal and Reed Johnson, but Stanford scored three more runs in the fourth for a 13-4 lead. Garner got the last two outs to retire the side.

“I was satisfied with the way I pitched,” Garner said. “I was able to throw first-pitch strikes and that was important. I threw the changeup for strikes and mixed in my curve and fastball. I’m glad to have that first appearance out of the way because I was definitely nervous.”