Johnson’s Shutout Lifts Titans

Nevada leads the Big West Conference in batting, but the Wolf Pack couldn’t cope with Cal State Fullerton’s Adam Johnson Friday night.

Johnson pitched his second shutout of the season, giving up five hits, no walks and striking out nine as the Titans rolled to a 6-0 victory at Fullerton.

It was Fullerton’s seventh victory in its last eight games and gave the first-place Titans (29-15, 16-6) a two-game lead in the Big West race. Nevada (30-16, 14-8) and Long Beach State are tied for second after Long Beach’s victory over Pacific Friday night.

“It’s great to get six runs and some great plays on defense two weeks in a row,” Johnson said. “You can’t lose when that happens.”

Johnson (6-2) gave up only three runs in his two previous starts.

“I think I’ve been more accurate the last couple of games,” Johnson said. “I was hitting the corners well in this game. I didn’t get as many strikeouts as I have in some of the other games, but Nevada was going for a lot of first pitches, and they’re a good hitting team.”

Johnson reached double figures in strikeouts in his four previous outings.

Robert Guzman drove in three runs for the Titans, who had 10 hits. Nevada starter Chad Qualls (9-3) took the loss.

Titan Coach George Horton was pleased with the support given Johnson.

Third baseman Shawn Norris made two standout plays on defense, turning a hard-hit ground ball into a double play in the fourth inning and making another good play to get the leadoff batter in the sixth.

“We made it look easy tonight because of the guy we had on the hill,” Horton said. “But the play of the day was that one where [Norris] got in front of that bad-hop ground ball. That’s the play he didn’t make last weekend.”

The Titans scored a run in the third, then broke the game open with four in the fourth.

In the third, Chris Stringfellow led off with a hit up the middle, and stole second. Then, with one out, Guzman dropped a single into left, scoring Stringfellow. Guzman stole third, but Chris Beck struck out and Matt Belfanti grounded out.

Fullerton got to Qualls in the fourth. Jeff Gates walked to open the inning, then Aaron Rifkin singled and Mike Martinez’s bunt loaded the bases with none out.

At that point, Nevada Coach Gary Powers was ejected after an argument with home plate umpire Ken Eldridge, but the Wolf Pack’s problems were just beginning. Norris singled up the middle, scoring two runs. Guzman drove in two more on a two-out single inside third base.

In another Big West game:

Long Beach State 12, Pacific 3--The 49ers had 13 hits and took advantage of six Pacific errors.