Johnson Pumps Up Titans in First Win

An emotional Adam Johnson pitched a six-hit, 13-strikeout shutout and Shawn Norris delivered the timely hit Cal State Fullerton needed for a victory over Baylor Friday night.

Norris’ two-out hit down the left-field line drove in the only run of the game in the bottom of the ninth in front of 1,322 at Titan Field.

The 1-0 victory was the first of the season for the fifth-ranked Titans, who were swept by top-ranked Stanford in a three-game series last weekend. It was the first loss of the season in four games for 10th-ranked Baylor.

“I was really pumped up all night,” said Johnson, who gestured after most of his strikeouts. “I may be a little too emotional at times, but I guess that’s the closer in me.”

Johnson, who was the Titan closer as a freshman before becoming a starter last season, got out of a big jam in the top of the ninth.

Steve Dorneman and Jace Brewer drilled consecutive hits inside the third-base bag, but Johnson struck out Matt Williams and got out of the inning on an interference call at second base, giving the Titans a double play on Ross Bennett’s ground ball.

“That was a heartbreaking call for Baylor, but the umpire made the right call,” Fullerton Coach George Horton said. “The runner has to slide on the play. He can’t go in standing up.”

The Titans came back in their half of the ninth after two were out. Brett Kay singled, and Aaron Rifkin walked before Norris’ game-winning hit to the opposite field.

“I was looking for a fastball, and they had been pitching me outside all night, so I got what I wanted,” Norris said.

It ended a dramatic pitching duel between Johnson (1-0) and Baylor right-hander Chad Hawkins (1-1). Hawkins gave up seven hits, struck out 10 and gave up only one walk. Johnson walked none.