Struggling Titans Lose to Cal Poly, 2-1

Cal State Fullerton’s Adam Johnson gave up only four hits over eight innings, but he wound up as the losing pitcher when Cal Poly San Luis Obispo scored two runs in the seventh inning to beat the Titans, 2-1, in a Big West Conference baseball game Thursday at San Luis Obispo.

It was Fullerton’s first loss to Cal Poly in the last 11 meetings and Titans’ sixth loss in eight games.

Johnson, who walked two and struck out 12, was victimized by a lack of support as Cal State Fullerton (22-14, 11-5) could only muster one run and five hits against Mustang starter Joe Smith.

A sixth-inning single by Chris Beck scored David Bacani and gave the Titans a 1-0 lead.

But Cal Poly (20-18, 11-8) bunched three hits in the seventh to score twice, both runs coming on a two-out single by Chris Martinez.

Smith made them stand up, striking out seven and walking two in a complete-game victory.

The three-game series continues today at 5 p.m.

In another Big West Conference game:

UC Santa Barbara 12, Long Beach State 6--Jeff Leuenberger gave up six earned runs on nine hits in five innings for visiting Long Beach State (25-14, 13-4). Kasey Olenberger was hit even harder in relief, surrendering four earned runs on four hits in one-third of an inning.

In nonconference baseball:

Chapman 4, La Verne 2--Pat Stevens hit a two-run homer in the third inning and Adam Olow and Eric Albright had run-scoring singles as Chapman (20-8-1) took a 4-0 lead.

La Verne (18-13-1) rallied with two runs in the fifth, but Panther pitchers gave up only two hits over the final three innings. Albright pitched a scoreless, hitless ninth for the save.

Brandon Maciel had one hit, stole a base, scored two runs and twice was hit by a pitch.