49ers Keep Titans From Clinching

Despite another strong outing by pitcher Adam Johnson, Cal State Fullerton failed to close the deal.

Chuck Lopez’s two-run home run in the first inning was all Long Beach State needed as the 49ers earned a 2-1 Big West Conference victory over the Titans Friday night at Blair Field.

The loss prevented the Titans (35-18, 20-7) from clinching their third consecutive conference title. It also was the third time in four meetings the 49ers prevailed.

They meet again today in the second game of the three-game series. Game time is 6:05 p.m.

Johnson (7-3) pitched a four-hitter and struck out six. After giving up the homer to Lopez in the first, he settled down and held the 49ers (30-24, 17-11) scoreless for the final eight innings. At one point, Johnson retired 16 of 17 Long Beach State batters. After Bryan Kennedy’s two-out double in the first, Johnson limited the 49ers to two hits.

“We reverted back to not scoring runs for him again,” Fullerton Coach George Horton said. “Maybe he didn’t have his best stuff early, but give Lopez credit [for his home run]. After the homer, he stepped it up a notch, we just didn’t get any runs.”

The Titans scored their run in the seventh. David Bacani got a leadoff single, stole second and third, and scored on Jason Corapci’s single to right with one out.

Jeff Leuenberger (6-3) earned the victory despite some problems. The former Canyon High pitcher gave up seven hits and walked three. Josh Alliston earned his 10th save of the season.