Titans Can’t Stand in 49ers’ Way

Long Beach State went into the final Big West Conference series against Cal State Fullerton struggling to stay in contention for an at-large berth in the NCAA baseball playoffs.

But the 49ers made a statement to the NCAA selection committee Sunday, pounding out a 15-3 victory at Titan Field. It gave Long Beach (32-21, 19-11) the series against the third-ranked Titans, two games to one.

Fullerton (44-11, 25-5) is assured of an NCAA berth as the conference champion. The 49ers still have a three-game series remaining against Miami at home beginning Thursday, and won’t know their NCAA fate until the 64-team field is announced May 24.

“I don’t know what this does for us with the tournament, but I was proud of our club,” Long Beach Coach Dave Snow said. “They came in with the pressure of having to do something, and they responded.”

Long Beach blasted four home runs among 19 hits, producing the most one-sided victory against the Titans this season.

Jaeme Leal had four hits, including two homers for the 49ers to bring his season total to 22. Bryan Kennedy also had four hits and Abel Orozco and Terrmel Sledge also homered for Long Beach. Fullerton’s Ryan Owens had two solo homers, giving him a team-leading 18.

The worst part of the nightmare final day of the regular season for the Titans was an eight-run fifth inning. Fullerton trailed just 3-2 before that.

Five of the runs were charged to Jon Smith, who was a starter with a 6-0 record earlier in the season. Smith faced five batters in relief and didn’t get an out. It was his first appearance after sitting out two weeks because of arm and shoulder soreness. He had pitched only three innings in the past four weekends.

“Smith just didn’t have it,” Titan Coach George Horton said. “We wanted to try to get him in the game to see how he’d do, but it turned out to be a bad card to play. He has been able to come in before without much work and do fine.”

Smith replaced Marco Hanlon to start the fifth. He walked Terrmel Sledge, and gave up a home run to Leal. After three more hits, including an RBI single by Orozco, Smith was replaced by Ruben Jurado. Jurado retired the next two batters, but gave up a two-run single to A.J. LaBarbera and a three-run homer to Sledge, batting for the second time in the inning.

“My arm felt fine,” Smith said. “But I had a control problem and they took advantage of it. I couldn’t seem to throw my fastball for strikes. You’re always discouraged when you don’t have success, but I feel I can come back from this in time for the tournament. I had thrown only one bullpen in the last three weeks.”

Hanlon, who gave up three runs and seven hits, took his first loss of the season in six decisions.

Long Beach got a solid pitching effort from starter Mike Gallo (10-2), who gave up nine hits and two walks and struck out six in 6 2/3 innings.