Titans Defeat Northridge; Streak at 11

FULLERTON —  Cal State Fullerton ran its winning streak to 11 games by beating Cal State Northridge, 10-5, in a nonconference baseball game Monday at Titan Stadium.

Fullerton (12-1), ranked third in the nation by Collegiate Baseball, scored three runs in the fourth inning and three in fifth to take an 8-3 lead and led, 10-4, after six.

The Matadors (4-5) had 12 hits, but stranded a season-high 13 runners. It was a carry over from Saturday’s game with Fullerton, during which Northridge left two runners on base in the bottom of the ninth and lost, 1-0.

Northridge took a 3-0 lead in the second when first baseman Jason Shanahan hit a three-run homer.

Fullerton (12-1) closed to within 3-2 in the second on a two-run homer by catcher Bret Hemphill, who drove in four runs. Yet the Matadors appeared ready to counter when they got three consecutive singles in the third to load the bases against senior right-hander Dan Ricabal.

Brian Vasey and Tyler Nelson struck out to end the threat, however, and the frustration only mounted for the visitors. By the time Ricabal (2-0) was replaced after five innings by Mike Parisi, he had allowed eight hits, walked one and hit a batter.

Nonetheless, Fullerton held an 8-3 lead, partly because Northridge right-hander Keven Kempton (0-2) continued to struggle. Kempton, who won 10 games last year, gave up eight earned runs on 10 hits over six innings.

Kempton gave up five consecutive singles to open the fourth--two never left the infield--as Fullerton scored three times to take a 5-3 lead.

Parisi allowed two runs on four hits over the final four innings to earn his first college save.

Trailing, 10-5, in the seventh, Northridge loaded the bases with two outs. But Parisi struck out Joey Arnold to end the threat.