Feb. 10, 2006

Box Score

Fullerton, Calif. - Wes Roemer four-hit the Rebels and struck out nine as Cal State Fullerton toppled UNLV 9-1 in the 2006 home opener in a non-conference baseball game at Goodwin Field.

Fullerton gets its first win of the season and improves to 1-3 improving its all-time home-opening record to 28-4, while UNLV falls to 1-3.

Roemer, was in command of the strike zone all night, allowed just four hits over eight innings retiring 12 of the first 14 men he faced. He carried a no-hit bid into the fifth inning before CJ Lang broke it up with a bloop single. Roemer lowered is dominant ERA form 1.29 to 1.20 and improved to 1-0.

The Titans scored three runs in the first three innings, handing UNLV starter Koji Pupo (0-1) his first loss of the season. Pupo allowed three earned runs while walking three and hitting two batters.

Titan designated hitter Bryan Harris scored Justin Turner from third base with a sacrifice fly in the first, getting the Titans on the board early. They extended their lead in the third to 2-0 as Blake Davis, on after being hit by a pitch, scored when Danny Dorn hit into a double play.

They also put up a run in the bottom of the fourth. Catcher John Curtis doubled to left field, knocking Pupo from the game, then scored as Evan McArthur drove him home on a single off reliever Jabe Beard. Beard would go on to fair worse and Pupo, allowing four earned runs in his three innings of work, though striking out four Titans.

Fullerton put the game out of hand in the top of the seventh, plating five runs on five hits as it sent nine players to the box. Justin Turner (RBI triple), Davis (RBI single), David Cooper (pinch-hit, two RBI double) and Curtis (RBI single) all knocked in at least a run as the Titans extended their lead to 8-0.

Roemer lost his shutout bid in the eighth as Blake Gailen's and Efren Navarro, Jr.'s back-to-back pinch hits set up a scoring ground ball by pinch-hitter Keith Smith. That would be all the Rebels would get, as Roemer fanned the last two hitters he faced in the eighth.

For good measure, Fullerton added a run in the bottom of the eight, on another RBI single by Cooper off reliever Robert Gamch.

Justin Klipp came on in relief of Roemer, making his Cal State Fullerton debut, allowing just a hit before retiring the side.

The two teams meet up again tomorrow at Goodwin Field with the first pitch slated for 6:00 p.m. The Titans will start sophomore righty Jared Clark on the mound while the Rebels counter with right-hander Matt Wagner.

TITAN NOTES: David Cooper improved to 3-for-3 in pinch-hitting opportunities in 2006 and is 5-for-8 (.625) overall. Brett Pill was 4-four-5 with four singles and a run scored. Justin Turner scored three runs and stole two bases.