Fullertson Edges CSUN 3-2 in Series Opener

FULLERTON, Calif.---Blaine Traxel tossed eight quality innings but it would not be enough as CSUN (18-17, 7-9 Big West) fell to Cal State Fullerton (15-20, 9-4 Big West) 3-2 on Friday at Goodwin Field. The Titans scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning that proved to be the difference. Joey Kramer finished 2-for-4 and drove in the Matadors' two runs.

The Matadors used three hits to push across the first run of the game in the opening frame. After Graysen Tarlow and Bart West singled, Kramer rifled an RBI single to center field to give the Matadors a 1-0 edge.

The Titans answered back with a two-out rally in the bottom of the second, eventually scoring on an RBI double from Austin Schell.

Fullerton appeared as though it might take the lead in the third inning when a passed ball allowed Caden Connor to advance to third with nobody out. Traxel though retired the next batter before inducing a groundball that would eventually lead to Connor being tagged out between third and home plate.

CSUN quickly struck in the fourth inning on a first-pitch solo home run from Kramer that gave the Matadors a 2-1 edge.

However, the lead was short-lived as the Titans took advantage of a CSUN error to tie the game up once more. After Schell doubled and Jack Haley reached on an infield single, an error at first base allowed Schell to score the tying run. Traxel though limited the damage by retiring Cole Urman for the third out.

The Titans committed two errors in the fifth inning, one on a dropped ball in right field and another on a Tarlow grounder to short but the Matadors could not take advantage of the miscues. On the flip side, the Matadors committed two errors in the sixth inning, however, Traxel stranded the bases loaded.

A timely defensive play from Moody kept the game tied in the bottom of the seventh. With the infield in and a runner at third base, Jackson Lyon hit a sharper grounder to the right side. Moody though speared the ball and threw home in time to nail Connor at the plate.

CSUN again came up empty in the top of the eighth, spoiling a leadoff single from Andrew Sojka. Sojka eventually made it to third base with one out, but Cameron Repetti retired Moody and West in order.

The Titans would get the big hit of the night in the bottom of the eighth to finally break the tie. Zach Lew singled to start the inning and was sacrificed to second. Traxel struck out Schell for the second out but gave up an RBI single to Carter White.

Repetti returned to the mound in the ninth and struck out the side in order to pick up the win.

GAME NOTES
Traxel recorded his second-straight complete game and his sixth overall of his career. He finished with eight hits allowed and no walks while two of the three runs surrendered were earned.

Over the past two games, Kramer has drive in all three of CSUN's runs. West recorded his 14th multiple-hit game of the season. Sojka extended his team-high on-base streak to 18 games.

ACCORDING TO COACH DAVE SERRANO
"That was a very good college baseball game that we just came out on the short end of. There were many great defensive plays made by both teams and pitchers, Blaine Traxel and Fullerton's Tyler Stultz made it tough all night for both teams' offenses. We need to bounce back tomorrow and even this series."

UP NEXT
CSUN continues its weekend set at Cal State Fullerton with a Saturday night matchup at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

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Team Stats

Bart West

Joey Kramer

Andrew Sojka

Graysen Tarlow

Players Mentioned

Joey Kramer

Andrew Sojka

Graysen Tarlow

Blaine Traxel

Bart West