Titans Pound Out 23 Hits in 17-5 Rout of Northridge

Cal State Fullerton pounded six Northridge pitchers for a season-high 23 hits and routed the host Matadors, 17-5.

Titan catcher Jeff Gates had five hits and four RBIs, including a home run. Steve Woodward had four hits, David Bacani had three and Josh Weller had two RBIs for the Titans.

Fullerton (31-16), in first place in the Big West, chased sophomore left-hander Andy Davidson (4-7) with six runs--all earned--in the first inning. The Titans had a 3-0 lead before Northridge recorded an out. Davidson, who allowed four hits, lasted only one-third of an inning.

For Northridge (21-31), which plays at Washington State this weekend and closes Tuesday at Fullerton, it was the greatest margin of defeat this season and second-highest run total by a Northridge opponent.

Ivan Hernandez struck out Jason Corapci and Jeff Gates with the bases loaded to end the first inning. But the Titans added a single run in the second off Hernandez for a 7-0 lead.

From there, Ryan McDermott, Merrill Dunn, Bobby Graves and Steve Busby each took the mound and took some lumps for Northridge.