Titans Beat Pacific, but Smith Hurt

Charlie Zahari pitched 6 1/3 innings in relief to earn the victory and Robert Guzman had three RBIs as host Cal State Fullerton beat Pacific, 6-1, Friday in a Big West Conference baseball opener.

Zahari replaced starter Jon Smith in the first inning. Smith left with a groin injury after throwing eight pitches.

Zahari gave up six hits and one run--a fourth-inning home run by Richard Hackett--to even his record at 1-1.

The Titans (20-10, 1-0) trailed, 1-0, and were held hitless by Pacific starter D.J. Houlton (5-3) for the first five innings, but took control by scoring two runs in the sixth and four in the seventh.

Guzman tied the game with an RBI double in the sixth, and Jason Corapci put the Titans ahead for good with a sacrifice fly that scored David Bacani.

Guzman had a two-run single in the seventh, and Titan center fielder Chris Stringfellow hit his first home run of the season to lead off the seventh.

Chad Cordero went the final 2 2/3 innings to register his third save of the season, giving up two hits and striking out two.

The teams play the second game of a three-game series at 7 tonight.

In another Big West baseball game:

Long Beach State 3, Sacramento State 2 (10)--Jeff Jones had two RBIs and Chris Demaria (3-0) gave up one hit in 3 1/3 innings of relief for the 49ers (20-10, 1-0).