49ers Almost Mount Comeback-- Lose 8-7 March 24, 2002 FULLERTON, CA-- No. 15-ranked CS Fullerton (16-9) swept the first of two meetings between their arch rival, defeating No. 17-ranked Long Beach State (15-9) 8-7 in a wild three hour and 25 minute affair. The two teams will meet again to close out the regular season in a three-game conference game. Fullerton has swept The Beach twice previously, at Blair Field in 1998 and in Fullerton 1991, both times, the Dirtbags advanced to the College World Series. The Titans upped their lead to 8-2 after four innings, by scoring twice in the first and second innings and four more in the fourth. CSF chased 49er starter Abe Alvarez (6-1) from the game, as the lefty, who entered with a 1.24 ERA, gave up 10 hits and six earned runs (as many as he had given up all year), in 3.0 innings. Seven different Titans contributed RBIs, while the other run scored on a throwing error. The Beach went to the long ball to close to within 8-7 after six innings. After falling behind by six, LBSU scored single runs in the fourth and sixth innings off of solo homers from Nick Covarrubias and Nick Orlandos, and four more in the sixth inning, including a two-run homer from Todd Jennings. LBSU righty Chris Demaria kept Fullerton at bay over the last half of the game, scattering just two hits over 4.2 shutout innnings, striking out four and walking none. The Dirtbags had a chance in the eighth, as closer Chad Cordero, who picked up his sixth save of the year, intentionally walked Jeremy Reed to face Paul McAnulty with the bases loaded and two out. McAnulty though lined a one hopper up the middle to shortstop Justin Smyres for an inning ending, fielders choice. Cordero went 1.2 innings for the save. Sean Martin (2-0) picked up the win going 1.1 shutout innings. The Beach hit four homers today, including a leadoff homer from Kevin Randel in the first, the most for LBSU since April 2, 2000 at Sacramento State, when the 49ers also had four longballs. The Beach travel to Sacramento State on Thursday, Friday and Saturday before returning home to host UCLA a week from Tuesday at 6:05 p.m.and at Pepperdine the day after at 2 p.m. BOX SCORE | 
