Fullerton Suffers First Big West Loss

Sacramento State’s Steve Sharp scored the winning run in the 10th inning on an error and the visiting Hornets defeated Cal State Fullerton, 3-2, Friday night, the Titans’ their first Big West Conference baseball loss.

Sharp, a pinch runner for Cory Williams, headed home from second base on single by Dave Lusk. Titan left fielder Robert Guzman’s throw beat Sharp to the plate, but catcher Craig Patterson dropped the ball and was charged with an error.

The Titans (20-9, 9-1) took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Jake Epstein’s two-run single.

Sacramento State (12-18, 7-3) was held scoreless until the sixth, when Tim Meghan scored on Jesse Kreb’s sacrifice fly. Michael Butler homered in the eighth to tie the score, 2-2.

Titan starter Adam Johnson pitched nine innings, allowing three hits and striking out 14, one shy of a career best.

Hornet pitcher Chad Elliot also threw nine innings, giving up three hits and earning his second win of the season. Michael Penbera picked up his fifth save by striking out Aaron Rifkin with runners on first and second, to end the game.

In nonconference baseball:

Pomona-Pitzer 11, Chapman 6--Adam Olow had two hits, including a home run for host Chapman (18-6-1). Scott Montgomery also hit a home run for the Panthers.

In Golden State Athletic Conference men’s tennis:

Vanguard 5, Azusa Pacific 4--Joakim Ulfuebrand won 6-3, 6-2, in singles for host Vanguard (18-2, 7-0). Vanguard, ranked third in the nation for small schools, clinched the conference title.

In Golden State Athletic Conference women’s tennis:

Vanguard 9, Hope International 0--Lindsey Doyaz won 6-1, 6-1, and Megan Godfrey won 6-3, 6-1, in singles for Vanguard. In doubles, Doyaz and Godfrey partnered to win 8-0.

In the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation women’s water polo tournament:

San Jose State 9, Long Beach State 8 (OT)--Ashley Richardson scored three goals for Long Beach, and Elizabeth Garcia and Morgan Meyer each added two more for the 49ers.

Karen Helm and Stacy Black scored one goal each in an earlier 10-2 loss to USC.