Epstein Leads Titans Past UCLA

Cal State Fullerton’s power supply got a boost Tuesday night.

First baseman Jake Epstein, whose father Mike hit 130 home runs in a nine-year major league career, blasted two homers and drove in seven runs to lead the third-ranked Titans to a 17-5 victory over UCLA at Titan Field.

Epstein, a transfer from Missouri making his second start of the season, hit a three-run homer in the third inning and a grand slam in the sixth.

Catcher Craig Patterson also hit a grand slam down the left-field line in the seventh as the Titans handed the Bruins (7-10) their fifth consecutive loss and ninth in the last 10 games.

The Titans (8-5) had hit seven home runs in 12 games before the three-homer barrage. Epstein now has three homers and 14 RBIs in 12 at-bats.

“I think Jake is probably more of a game performer than a practice performer,” Titan Coach George Horton said. “He didn’t hit with that much power in practice before the season, but he’s taken advantage of his opportunity big time.”

Epstein got his chance when Aaron Rifkin, who is hitting .231, went into a batting slump.

The Titans were able to complete only one game in last weekend’s Kia Baseball Bash because of rain and used six pitchers against the Bruins.

Left-hander Jon Smith (3-1) picked up the victory in three innings of work, giving up two hits and one run. Smith struck out seven and walked two.

The Titans got off to a fast start with a run in the first on one hit. Leadoff batter David Bacani was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on Steve Woodward’s single. Bacani scored on Shawn Norris’ sacrifice fly, but UCLA starter Bobby Roe got out of the inning without further trouble.

In the third, Woodward delivered his second consecutive hit, and Chris Beck singled to center before Epstein connected on a 1-0 pitch for his second homer of the season.

The Titans added three more runs in the fourth. Norris doubled down the left field line, scoring two runs, after Chris Stringellow singled and Woodward was hit by a pitch. Norris scored when Chris Beck doubled to the wall in left.

“Jake’s grand slam in the sixth inning was a big momentum switch,” Horton said. “It looked like they were going to get out of the inning before Jake’s homer.”

Woodward was three for three for the game, lifting his average to .568.

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In Golden State Athletic Conference softball:

Vanguard 1, Point Loma Nazarene 0--Gina Liebengood recorded her seventh win of the season, pitching a two-hit shutout for Vanguard (9-7, 2-1) in the second game to split the double-header.

In nonconference women’s tennis:

Colorado State 8, Cal State Fullerton 1--Amy Medlin and Eleanor Luzano won in doubles, 8-4, for host Fullerton (2-6).

Tulsa 5, UC Irvine 4--Jonni Seymour swept in singles, 6-0, 6-3, and then teamed with Darian Chappell to win in doubles, 8-2 for host Irvine (7-4).