The Cal Poly Baseball secured a decisive 10-4 win over Cal State Fullerton on Sunday afternoon to complete a weekend sweep at Baggett Stadium.
The game, marked by strong pitching and a booming offense, was a display of the Mustangs’ (10-4, 3-0 Big West) newfound identity over the Titans (4-8, 0-3 Big West). Cal Poly momentum never faltered after they turned a 3-0 deficit in the third inning into a commanding lead by the fourth.
With the win, Cal Poly completed the three-game sweep of Fullerton and remains at the top of the Big West standings early in the season.
The offense has found their stride after starting the year with a 1-5 record. Since their upset win over then-No. 1 ranked Texas A&M, the offense has scored 91 runs across their recent 8-1 stretch.
“We’re sticking to our own plan that we have before our game” Castellon said. “And that’s what’s been working for us”
Behind the stellar pitching of sophomore right-handed pitcher Ethan Marmie, who allowed just four earned runs over 7 2/3 innings, Cal Poly’s offense came alive in a seven-run fourth inning that ultimately sealed the game.
“It’s the best group of guys I’ve ever played with,” freshman shortstop Nate Castellon said, who contributed two RBIs and two hits in the game. “When you have guys like Jack Collins hitting home runs, they bring that kinda energy, that you know, you’re not doing everything yourself .”
Cal Poly’s hitters capitalized on Fullerton’s struggles, particularly in the fourth when the Mustangs sent 12 batters to the plate.
Senior Zach Daudet tripled to right-center, bringing in two runs, and later scored on a single by freshman outfielder Dante Vachini, who also added an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the third.
The offensive burst helped Cal Poly build an insurmountable 10-3 lead by the end of the fifth inning.
Cal State Fullerton struggled to recover from Cal Poly’s offensive surge, with starter Chris Hernandez giving up five runs without recording an out in the fourth.
The Titans did manage to score a run in the eighth inning, but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback as Cal Poly’s bullpen, led by redshirt senior southpaw Jake Torres, shut down the Titans’ offense for the rest of the game.
Next up, the Mustangs will hit the road for a Tuesday evening matchup at San Jose State, with the game scheduled for 5 p.m. at Excite Ballpark.
