Video by: Alex Stathis & Vanessa LoPiccolo.
The Cal State Fullerton baseball team hosted the UC Davis Aggies at Goodwin Field Thursday and was able to pull off a 5-4 come-from-behind win.
This was the first of a three-game weekend series, and it was the first time CSUF has faced UC Davis this season in conference play.
Junior right-hander Dylan Floro earned his fifth win this season. Floro encountered trouble several times throughout the game, but persisted through the eighth inning to earn the victory.
“I felt alright going into it. It just took a while to get loosened up. I put up a few zeros and gave up a few runs here and there, but the offense ended up answering back in the eighth inning, so that was big,” said Floro.
The Aggies opened up scoring in the first after getting three straight hits. UC Davis first baseman Nick Lynch singled in left fielder David Popkins for the first run with only one out. The Titans could have faced a larger deficit if it wasn’t for senior shortstop Anthony Trajano, who made a leaping catch on a laser line drive, then threw to first for an inning-ending double play.
In the bottom of the inning, the Titans evened the game. Anthony Trajano was hit by a pitch to reach base. Aggies starting pitcher Dayne Quist caught Trajano leading off at first base. When Trajano made for second, the first baseman made a throw that bounced off Trajano’s helmet, granting him a stolen base. After Trajano advanced to third, center fielder Michael Lorenzen brought in the Titan’s first run on a sacrifice bunt to tie the game.
In the bottom of the third, the Titans took their first lead after stringing together singles by Richy Pedroza and Carlos Lopez. Junior designated hitter Matt Orloff lined a single that scored Pedroza to make it 2-1.
After giving up the first run, Floro retired 13 of 15 batters. Then, in the sixth inning, David Popkins turned on a tight pitch high and inside and sent it over the right field fence for a solo home run that tied the game at two apiece.
Titans Head Coach Rick Vanderhook commented on Floro’s eight-inning outing. “I though he did good. We know what we’re gonna get every Friday night and Thursday night. And he competes his ass off, and he’s got good stuff,” said Vanderhook.
The eighth inning ultimately contained the action that decided the game. Aggies right fielder John Williams led off with a single against the Titans. Shortstop Evan Heptig put down a bunt and Floro made a high throw to second that sailed into center field. With no outs, the Aggies kept threatening with bunts. Aggies hitter Tino Lipson put down a lazy bunt that rolled down the line in front of third base. Instead of waiting to see if it would stay in play, Titans third baseman Matt Chapman scooped it up and made a throw to first, which sailed high and allowed the Aggies to score one more on the error.
UC Davis had the bases loaded with no outs. Then, in what perhaps was the game-saving play, Michael Lorenzen fielded a high fly ball by David Popkins in center field. The runner tagged at third and Lorenzen made a straight-line throw that met Evan Heptig at the plate for a 8-2 double play.
“Those are the plays that I live for,” said Lorenzen. “With the runner on third, I always want the fly ball. We always talk about it in the outfield, who’s gonna get it; it’s like a competition.”
After that, Dylan Floro, at bat, allowed a single that scored one more, making it 4-2 in favor of UC Davis.
“That was a huge play, a big momentum changer right there, especially when they got a couple runs, and he just shuts it down,” said Floro about the throw.
In the bottom half, Lorenzen extended his 11-game hitting streak by leading off with a double to deep right. Junior right fielder Ivory Thomas subsequently singled in Lorenzen to put the Titans within a run. After an error and a walk to load the bases, Vanderhook sent freshman Clay Williamson to the plate to pinch hit. Williamson singled on a liner to center, scoring Thomas and Anthony Hutting to give the Titans the late-inning lead.
Michael Lorenzen was brought in to the mound from center field, and was able to secure his 11th save.
After the game, Vanderhook said he was pleased with the collective effort. “We had a lot of guys pick up a lot of guys tonight,” he said.