LBSU Blows Lead in the Ninth, Series

Sunday, March 25

Long Beach, Calif.

1:00 PM

Long Beach State University

13-9

Cal State Fullerton

15-10

CS Fullerton

Long Beach State

3/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Titans Come Back Twice to Take Series
Fullerton Scores Four in the Ninth to Take Series

March 25, 2007

BOX SCORE

LONG BEACH, CA-- No. 18-ranked Long Beach State's bullpen (13-9) imploded in the ninth, giving up four runs as No. 13-ranked CS Fullerton (15-10) came back in both of their wins in the series, to win the finale on Sunday, 7-5. All three games at the eventual loser leading.

Clark Hardman's two-run, two-out single was the difference maker, breaking a 5-5 tie, after the Dirtbags took a 5-3 lead into the ninth. CS Fullerton loaded the bases in the ninth with two outs against closer Bryan Shaw (2-2), before Shaw blew his second save of the weekend with two unearned runs in the ninth to tie it at 5-5. Centerfielder Chris Nelson dropped a flyball to leadoff the ninth inning to open the doors. It was Shaw's third-straight blown save.

Justin Klipp (2-0) got his first two wins of the season this weekend, getting both wins in relief. He pitched three and two-thirds shutout innings on Sunday. LBSU put two runners on in the ninth, but left two their eight runners on in the ninth.

The 7387 fans for the series was the second-largest in school history for a regular season series. Today's attendance was 2538.

Shane Peterson hit uncharted territory as LBSU's starter, as on a pitch count he went a pre-determined four and two thirds shutout innings, for his longest career outing, allowing just three hits. Peterson left with a 4-0 lead, before Andre Lamontagne gave up two runs in the sixth, as Adam Wilk outs sent it into the sixth with a 4-2 lead. Both teams traded runs in the middle innings, as David Roberts pitched two shutout innings leading to Shaw in the ninth with a 5-3 lead.

Sean Urena pitched into the sixth, giving up five runs (four earned) on five hits. Urena gave up four runs over the first two innings against the Dirtbags.

The Beach opened up the game with a 3-0 lead. A double by Godfrey extended his hit streak and made it 1-0, before an RBI double from Danny Espinosa made it 2-0. Taylor Krick's single to right then made it 3-0, all with two outs. Travis Howell's first home run of the season then made it 4-0 in the second.

The Dirtbags begin Big West play next weekend traveling down Interstate-405 for a three-game series at UC Irvine.