Chatham’s Home Run in the Seventh Sparks the Titans

Steve Chatham’s three-run homer in the seventh helped lift Cal State Fullerton past New Mexico State, 9-7, in a Big West Conference baseball game Saturday at Cal State Fullerton.

Chatham’s homer broke a 5-5 tie with the Aggies in the second game of the three-game series. Fullerton (25-19-1, 13-7) added a run in the eighth before New Mexico State (16-26, 5-15) scored two runs off reliever Mike Greenlee in the ninth.

Chatham had three hits and four runs batted in, Pete Fukuhara had four hits, including his sixth homer of the season, and Ryan Owens contributed three hits and three RBIs for the Titans.

C.J. Ankrum had two walks, but was hitless in five at-bats to end his hitting streak at 21 games.

Kenny Harrell had two home runs and Cory Smith had four hits, including his 11th home run of the season, for New Mexico State.

In another Big West game:

Nevada 4, Long Beach State 1--Long Beach State lost its second straight game to Nevada despite a strong effort by starting pitcher Marcus Jones.

Jones (7-4) went the distance, giving up two earned runs. He struck out 10 and walked none for the 49ers. Paul Day, Izzy Gonzalez and Casey Snow had two hits each for Long Beach (26-16, 16-4).

The Wolfpack (31-12, 15-5) was led by starting pitcher Brent Husted, who didn’t allow an earned run and scattered eight hits over 7 1/3 innings.

In Golden State Athletic Conference baseball:

Southern California College 12-9, Westmont 5-4 (2nd game 7, darkness)--Kevin Moore had five his, including two doubles and a homer, and drove in six runs on the day for SCC (29-13, 14-7).

In the first game, Greg Schreiber had five hits to lead the Vanguards. Westmont committed five errors in the second game, which led to three unearned runs.

In nonconference baseball:

Chapman 9, Menlo 2--Josh LaRocca (7-2) gave up two runs on five hits, four walks and nine strikeouts in a complete game for Chapman (22-10), which has won 15 of its last 17. Jake Ganajian had a two-run single in the eighth for the Panthers.