April 18, 2008

Box Score

Stockton, Calif. - Two unearned runs in the top of the first inning set a bad tone for the Pacific baseball team as the Tigers fell to No. 15 Cal State Fullerton, 15-4, on Friday, Apr. 18.

The loss dropped the Tigers to 8-26 on the season and 2-8 in the Big West Conference. Cal State Fullerton, meanwhile, moved to 21-13 overall and 7-3 in conference play.

Cal State Fullerton took advantage of two Pacific errors in the top of the first inning to jump out to a 2-0 lead. The Pacific miscues set the Titans offense on fire as Cal State Fullerton scored in each of the first seven innings to build a 12-1 lead.

Pacific chipped away at the deficit via back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Sophomore Matt Fuson (Lodi, Calif.) sent the first shot over the left field wall on a 2-2 pitch. Senior Adam Ching (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) was along for the ride after drawing a four pitch walk in front of Fuson. Junior Mike McKeever (San Diego, Calif.) blasting his 2-2 pitch over the left field wall to make it 12-4.

The last time Pacific had back-to-back home runs came on Feb. 4, 2006 when Jake Ross and current senior Brett Manning (Boulder, Colo.) authored back-to-back jacks in the Tigers' 14-6 win over Santa Clara.

Cal State Fullerton starter Jeff Kaplan earned the victory (6-1), allowing four runs on seven hits in 7.2 innings. Kaplan walked one and struck out nine Tigers.

Pacific starter, freshman Tyler Waldron (Pilot Hill, Calif.) took the loss (2-4), giving up eight runs (four earned) on seven hits and one walk.

The Tigers and Titans continue their three game series on Saturday, Apr. 19 at 6 p.m. in Klein Family Field.