Titans Beat Mississippi State, 14-9

Cal State Fullerton handed Mississippi State its first loss of the season, 14-9, in the Kia Baseball Bash Saturday afternoon at Titan Stadium. The Titans’ second-round game against Georgia Tech, as well as the remaining scheduled games, were postponed by rain until today.

The Titans had 16 hits, including eight in an eight-run second inning, in a game that had been postponed by rain Friday night with Mississippi State leading, 1-0, going into the bottom of the second.

“That was one of our best efforts offensively this season,” Titan Coach George Horton said.

Outfielder Steve Woodward was three for four with three runs batted in and scored a run. Freshman Jason Corapci was three for five with two RBIs and a run.

It was Corapci’s first appearance at designated hitter this season. Brett Kay, who has been the DH, took over at catcher. “We had been struggling a little offensively, so we thought we’d go with what we thought was a little better lineup on offense,” Horton said.

The Titans led, 9-2, after five innings, but the Bulldogs (9-1) scored five runs in the sixth to close the gap to two runs. Fullerton (7-5) came back for a run in its half of the sixth and four runs in the seventh to regain control. David Bacani had a two-run single in the seventh.

Matt Sorensen (2-0) picked up the pitching victory despite giving up six runs on five hits and seven walks. George Carralejo went two innings for the Titans, giving up three hits and two runs in two innings. Mike Nunez pitched the final 1 1/3 innings for Fullerton, giving up one hit and no runs.

Adam Johnson started for the Titans Friday night, but was replaced by Sorensen when the game resumed Saturday.