Johnson Comes on Strong for Titans Against Pacific

Cal State Fullerton’s Adam Johnson wasn’t as sharp Friday night as he sometimes is, but don’t tell that to Pacific.

Johnson pitched a three-hitter and the Titans added some timely hitting for a 7-2 victory over Pacific in their Big West Conference opener at Titan Field.

It was the second complete game of the season and fifth in two years for Johnson (2-1). The victory in the first game of a three-game series was the third in a row for the 11th-ranked Titans (11-7, 1-0).

“My fastball wasn’t up to speed, but I got a lot of ground balls and that helped,” Johnson said.

Johnson had a shutout through five innings, but Pacific (15-5, 0-1) scored two unearned runs in the sixth. Johnson came back to retire the Tigers in order in the final three innings.

“We thought Adam was wavering a little, and he didn’t have a good feel early for his curveball, but his last two innings turned out to be his two best of the night,” Titan Coach George Horton said.

Johnson, who is averaging 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings, struck out seven and walked one.

Johnson gave up a hit in each of the first two innings and a walk in the third, then retired nine in a row before giving up a one-out single to Ryan Stowasser in the sixth. A wild throw by Titan shortstop Mike Martinez to second base on a potential double-play ball scored Stowasser. Todd Bramble, who reached on the error, scored from third on an infield out.

Fullerton scored two unearned runs in the first inning on one hit.

Leadoff batter David Bacani reached on an error, moved to second on Steve Woodward’s hit and scored when Pacific catcher Andrew Coleman threw wildly past third on a double steal. Woodward scored later on a passed ball.

The Titans added two more runs in the second. Aaron Rifkin led off with a walk, advanced on an infield out and scored on Bacani’s single to center. Bacani scored later on Jason Corapci’s high-bouncing single over third.

Fullerton built its lead to 6-2 in the seventh on run-scoring singles by Corapci and Brett Kay.

In another Big West game:

Long Beach State 6, Nevada 1--Junior Jeff Leuenberger (Canyon High) pitched his third consecutive complete game, a two-hitter with a career-high 13 strikeouts, for host Long Beach State (16-4, 4-0).

Bryan Kennedy had two hits and three RBIs, Chuck Lopez had two hits and two RBIs and Chris Wright and A.J. LaBarbera each had two hits for the 49ers, who continue their three-game series today at 6:05 p.m. at Blair Field.