March 10, 2006

Box Score

Fullerton, Calif. - Titan pitcher Wes Roemer pitched his first collegiate complete game and struck out a career-high 12 hitters as No. 7 Cal State Fullerton shut out visiting East Carolina, 5-0, Friday night just before a well-timed rain storm covered Goodwin Field, minutes after the conclusion of the game.

The Titans improved to 12-6 on the year, winning their third straight contest, while the Pirates snapped a five-game winning streak and fall to 12-4.

The Pirates out-hit the Titans 8-6, but had nothing to show for it as the sophomore Roemer (4-0) did not allow a runner past second base en route to his fourth victory of the season. He also extended his streak to 45 innings without surrendering a walk. The right-hander now has 46 strikeouts on the season and lowered his ERA to a miniscule 1.40.

The Titans needed just one inning to take care of the Pirates, plating five runs in the bottom of the third off losing pitcher T.J. Hose (3-1). Hose went six innings striking out one and walking four in the losing effort.

In the bottom of the third, right fielder Jared Clark drew a two-out bases loaded walk to bring home Justin Turner with the first run of the game. That brought up catcher John Curtis, who promptly cleared the bases with a double to the right-center field gap, giving the Titans a quick 4-0 advantage. Brandon Tripp followed Curtis with a double of his own, capping a liner inside third base to drive home Curtis for the fifth and final run of the game.

Curtis led all players with three hits on the night, while the Pirates' Dale Mollenhauer and Ryan Tousley each had two knocks.

ECU's Jason Neitz and Chris Powell finished the game for Hose, tossing two scoreless innings without allowing a Titan hit.

Mother Nature willing, the two teams will meet up again tomorrow night for a 6 p.m. first pitch. Lauren Gagnier (3-2, 3.28 ERA) will be on the mound for the Titans with the Pirates countering with southpaw Dustin Sasser (3-1, 1.09 ERA).

NOTES: The Titans played their shortest game of the season at 2:19, missing a 10 minute storm that featured lightning, thunder and hail by 10 minutes.