COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Titans Beat Rain, Stop Gonzaga’s Ninth-Inning Rally

A rain-drenched ninth inning almost cost Cal State Fullerton the game, but the Titans held on to defeat Gonzaga, 8-6, Friday at Titan Field.

Leading 8-3 heading into the last inning, the skies opened up and heavy rains began. Titan pitcher Jon Ward (3-2), who had been cruising, retired the first batter, then loaded the bases on two singles and a walk.

Ted Silva, last season’s stopper, came in and walked the first batter he faced to push across a run. A fielder’s choice and a double by Carter Masterson drove in two more, but Silva finally got Jerrod Wong to ground out at first base to end the game, giving Ward the victory and Silva his first save of the season.

In another nonconference baseball game:

Long Beach State 3, Brigham Young 3 (6, rain)--A pinch-hit single by Kirk Pierce with the bases loaded tied the score for Long Beach State in the bottom of the sixth inning before the game was called after a 20-minute rain delay.

The 49er’s record is 10-8-1.

In Big West women’s gymnastics:

Cal State Fullerton 191.60, San Jose 183.375--Cristi Clifford won the all-around title, taking first in the uneven bars (9.725), balance beam (9.65) and floor exercise (9.75) for Cal State Fullerton (6-4).

In Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men’s volleyball:

UC Irvine 3, Pacific 2--Leland Quinn had 31 kills as the Anteaters rallied for a 15-8, 7-15, 15-6, 10-15, 15-6 victory over visiting Pacific.