April 21, 2007

Box Score

Fullerton, Calif. - Despite a complete game five-hitter from senior Curtis Pasma (Madera, Calif.), the Pacific baseball team suffered a 2-0 loss to No. 17 Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, April 21.

With the loss the Tigers fell to 10-30-1 on the season and 0-8 in the Big West Conference, while Cal State Fullerton moved to 25-12 overall and 6-2 in conference play.

The Titans got both of their runs in the bottom of the second inning as John Curtis and Nick Mahim each reached on singles to begin the inning. Two outs later, Curtis and Mahim remained at first and second. The next batter, Corey Jones, grounded a ball towards first base that got past junior Brett Manning (Boulder, Colo.). The error allowed Curtis to come in to score and sent Mahin to third. With runners at the corner, Pasma made one of his few mistakes in the game as he balked in Cal State Fullerton's second run of the game.

Trailing 2-0 had an opportunity to strike back in the top of the third. Junior John Joines (Milpitas, Calif.) led off the inning by drawing a walk. Freshman Matt Fuson (Lodi, Calif.) followed with a single up the middle, sending Joines to second. A sacrifice by junior Denis Hill (Pleasant Hill, Calif.) sent Joines to third and Fuson to second. After sophomore Joe Oliveira (San Diego, Calif.) struck out, Manning earned a walk to load the bases for junior Justin Baum (La Mesa, Calif.).

Baum scorched the first pitch of the at-bat into right center field and appeared to have tied the game. Unfortunately for the Tigers, Cal State Fullerton right fielder Mahim came streaking across to make a leaping catch and end the Tigers' threat.

That proved to be the Tigers' best chance to score as Cal State Fullerton's Jeff Kaplan earned the victory (7-2). Kaplan did not allow a run in a complete game shutout as he gave up just five hits and two walks, while recording seven strikeouts.

Pasma, meanwhile, allowed only two unearned runs on five hits and one walk. Pasma recorded seven strikeouts in the loss (0-4) in eight innings.

The Tigers and Titans will conclude their three-game series on Sunday, April 22 at 1 p.m. in Goodwin Field.