Smith, Bacani Lead Titans, 11-3

Jon Smith shut out New Mexico State through eight innings as Cal State Fullerton defeated the Aggies, 11-3, in Big West Conference baseball Friday night in Las Cruces, N.M.

Smith (5-1) struck out seven, gave up three hits and walked two. Reliever Ronnie Corona gave up the three Aggie runs in the ninth.

The Titans (18-8, 8-0), who took a 2-0 lead in the series, led, 4-0, through eight innings, before scoring seven runs with the help of three errors and two wild pitches in the ninth. The Titans scored two runs in the third on a wild pitch and a ground out, one run on four consecutive singles in seventh, and one in the eighth with two outs.

Fullerton’s David Bacani went five for five with two doubles, two runs and one run batted in.

New Mexico State fell to 15-18, 0-8.

The teams close out the series today.

In another Big West Conference baseball game:

Sacramento State 5, Long Beach State 4--Sacramento State (11-16, 5-2) turned a triple play in the top of the ninth to end the game and preserve the victory.

With runners on first and second, Chuck Lopez popped up a bunt attempt. First baseman Tim Maghan caught the ball and threw to first to double up Bobby Crosby, and second baseman Cory Williams, covering first, threw to second where shortstop Jesse Kregs tagged out A.J. LaBarbera to end the game.

Long Beach State is 19-8, 7-3 in conference play.

In nonconference baseball:

Chapman 13, Hayward 12--Brandon Maciel was five for five with a home run, double and two RBIs for visiting Chapman (17-3-1). Scott Montgomery had a home run and four RBIs for the Panthers, who had 18 hits.

In nonconference women’s tennis:

UC Irvine 9, Brown 0--Maureen Diaz won, 6-0, 6-2, in singles for host UCI (14-5). Irvine’s Jonni Seymour won her 11th consecutive singles match.