Feb. 18, 2000

Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif. -- Chris Beck's bases-loaded single with no outs in the bottom of the tenth inning Friday night gave Cal State Fullerton a 2-1 non-conference baseball victory over visiting UNLV.

Beck's liner past a drawn-in second baseman Garett Shitanishi scored David Bacani from third base and gave the victory to reliever Kirk Saarloos (1-2). It improved the No. 5-ranked Titans' record to 3-5 and dropped UNLV to 3-8 with its fifth straight loss.

Bacani singled sharply to left field to lead off the tenth against loser C. J. Martin (0-1). Andy McCulloch relieved Martin and promptly misplayed a couple of bunt tries by Steve Woodward and Shawn Norris into infield singles to set the stage for Beck, who had earlier walked three times and grounded out.

Fullerton got only two hits in six innings against UNLV starter Joe Maruffi but held a 1-0 lead when Aaron Rifkin singled in Beck, who had left off the fourth with a walk and stolen second base.

Adam Johnson made his third strong start for the Titans but got no decision for the second time. He allowed only 7 hits and one walk while striking out 11 in 8 innings. The Rebels tied the game in the eighth when Brad Maloff's two-out double scored John Cruz from first base. Cruz had singled after Zach Strong was picked off first base by Titan catcher Craig Patterson after leading off the UNLV eighth with a single.

The two teams play again Saturday at 1 p.m. with Matt Sorensen (0-0) scheduled to pitch for the Titans against UNLV's Luke Anderson (1-2).