Fullerton Shows Top Form Again in Victory Over USC

It was not a conventional game between the nation’s top-ranked college baseball teams, but No. 1 Cal State Fullerton’s 5-4 nonconference victory over No. 2 USC on Wednesday night at Dedeaux Field uncovered just enough to prove the rankings correct.

Fullerton starter Luis Estrella (2-0) and relievers Dan White and Mike Greenlee, all of whom are not major parts of the Titan rotation, held the Trojans to five hits over the first six innings.

All-American Mark Kotsay doubled in a run in the first inning, and first baseman C.J. Ankrum had two hits and scored two runs as the Titans (37-4) built a 4-0 lead by the fourth inning and added another run in the seventh.

But the Trojans (31-10-1) rallied before Kotsay struck out Paul Cruz and got Greg Walbridge to ground out for his third save with two runners on in the ninth.