Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

UNLV swept by Fullerton

FULLERTON, Calif. -- Mark Kotsay's 3-run home run rallied top-ranked Cal State Fullerton from an 8-7 deficit and triggered a 10-run sixth inning Sunday as the Titans pounded UNLV 20-11 to complete a 3-game sweep of the Big West Conference series.

C.J. Ankrum and Mike Lamb each had four hits in the 22-hit attack by the Titans, who extended their winning streak to 15 games and build their overall record to 30-2. They're 6-0 in the Big West. Going back to the 18-game winning streak that finished last season for Fullerton, the Titans have won 48 of their last 50 games.

UNLV overcame a 6-0 deficit with three runs in the fourth inning and five in the fifth but still fell to 27-11 and 3-3 in the Big West. Catcher Stacy Kleiner had four hits and center fielder Scott Vincent drove in five runs to pace the Rebels' offense.

Defense proved to be the difference in the game. Fullerton third baseman Tony Martinez and first baseman Ankrum each made diving stops to rob Rebel hitters of extra-base hits to help starter Scott Hild, who couldn't get out of the fifth inning.

Mike Greenlee (2-1) was the winning pitcher, holding UNLV to two hits and one run in 3 1/3 innings. Rebel starter Mike Bauder (5-3) was the loser, getting pounded for 12 hits and 10 runs in 5 1/3 innings.

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