Titans Rout New Mexico State to Clinch Outright Big West Title

Cal State Fullerton clinched the Big West Conference championship outright Saturday night by defeating New Mexico State, 25-7, at Titan Field.

Center fielder Mark Kotsay led the Titans’ season-high 24-hit attack, going five for five with two home runs and six runs scored.

Fullerton, ranked second in the nation, raised its conference record to 17-3 going into today’s series and regular-season finale with the Aggies. Long Beach State is 15-5.

The Titans (44-9) scored seven runs in the first inning, highlighted by Tony Martinez’s three-run homer.

Tim Dixon started for Fullerton, but was chased in the third inning when New Mexico State cut the Titans’ lead to 8-4. Scott Hild (2-0) relieved and picked up the victory, going 5 1/3 innings.

The Titans scored 10 runs in the sixth to put the game out of reach. Ten consecutive batters reached base in the inning.

The two bases-empty home runs give Kotsay a conference-leading 16 this season.