Feb. 28, 2004
FULLERTON, Calif. – Ricky Romero tossed a complete game four hitter and 13th-ranked Cal State Fullerton (7-8) backed it up with seven runs, including five unearned runs, in a 7-1 win over third-ranked Georgia Tech (6-2) on Saturday night at Goodwin Field in day two of the Kia Baseball Bash.
Romero (3-2) worked his second consecutive complete game after shutting out Houston 11-0 last weekend. The left-hander struck out a season-high 12 batters and issued just two walks in an 124 pitch effort. After Tech scored its only run in the third inning, Romero retired 16 of 20 batters to close out the game.
Tech starter Brian Burks (1-1) was tagged with the loss despite a solid effort. He allowed four runs, just one of which was earned, on seven hits in six innings.
The Yellow Jackets had a chance to strike first in the bottom of the second inning. A leadoff walk to Mike Nickeas and a double from Clifton Remole put runners at second and third bases with no outs. But Romero worked out of the jam by recording a strikeout, lineout and groundout to prevent the runners from scoring.
Tech had a similar situation in the bottom of the third inning, putting runners on second and third bases with no outs. Andy Hawranick led off the inning with a double, and Eric Patterson reached on a fielder’s choice after laying down a sacrifice bunt and then stole second base. Jeremy Slayden drove in Hawranick and gave the Yellow Jackets a 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly.
Meanwhile, Burks held Fullerton’s offense in check until the Titans mounted a threat in the top of the sixth inning and scored a pair of unearned runs on P.J. Pilittere’s two-out, two-run single to take a 2-1 lead.
The Titans added five runs, three of which were unearned, on just two hits over the seventh and eighth innings to extend the lead to 7-1. Fullerton scored twice in the seventh on Clark Hardman’s squeeze bunt and Sergio Pedroza’s walk with the bases loaded. A sacrifice fly, error and wild pitch accounted for three more runs in the eighth inning.
The Yellow Jackets contributed to the Titans offensive effort by issuing seven walks and committing three costly errors. Offensively, Tech was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and hit into two double plays.
Georgia Tech will face Oklahoma in the final day of the Kia Baseball Bash on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. (PST). Live statistics will be available at www.ramblinwreck.com.
