Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal State Fullerton
Bulldogs Outlast Cal State Fullerton, 7-5
3/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 19, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. - Sophomore right hander Matt Garza struck out Kurt Suzuki and Danny Dorn with the tying run on first base in the ninth inning to preserve a 7-5 Fresno State victory over Cal State Fullerton Friday at Beiden Field.
The Bulldogs won their season high tying third in a row to improve to 12-14 while the Titans dropped to 12-13.
Fresno State staked itself to a 4-0 lead with four runs in the second on run scoring doubles by freshmen Christian Vitters and Nick Moresi and an RBI single from senior infielder Ryan Haag. Vitters singled, doubled and tripled to highlight a career high tying three-hit performance. CSF cut the lead in half on a two-run homer by Suzuki in the in the top of the third. P.J. Pilittere socked his second home run of the year in the fourth to trim the Bulldogs' lead to 4-3.
Bulldog senior catcher Brandon Marcelli launched a three-run round tripper over the right field fence with two outs in the fifth to extend the lead to 7-3. The homer was Marcelli's third of the year. CSF answered with two runs in the seventh on an RBI double by Justin Turner and a run scoring ground out by Ronnie Prettyman but would get no closer.
Fresno State starter Michael Cooper (2-3) scattered seven runs on five hits and two walks while fanning two over six innings to earn his second victory of the year. David Griffin, Jacob Ball and Garza held the Titans at bay over the final three innings to preserve the victory.
Cal State Fullerton starter Jason Winsor (1-3) suffered his third loss of the year, allowing seven runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out six over 8 2/3 innings.
The series continues Saturday at 1 p.m. Fresno State sophomore right hander Rudy Quinonez (2-4, 8.34) is scheduled to oppose CSF southpaw Ricky Romero (3-3, 4.35).
Cal State Fullerton 002 100 200 - 5 10 0Fresno State 040 030 00X - 7 9 0Cooper, Griffin (7), Ball (9), Garza (9) and Marcelli; Windsor, Martinez (8) and Cloward. W- Cooper (2-3). L- Windsor (1-3). S- Garza (3). Hrs: FS: Marcelli (3); CSF: Suzuki (3), Pilittere (2). T: 3:08. A: 2,582.
