Titans baseball walks off Tulane in the 9th inning

In an offensive battle between the two teams, Cal State Fullerton’s baseball team outlasted the Tulane University Green Waves, 6-5, in the bottom of the 9th inning by a walk-off single by second baseman Maddox Latta Tuesday night at Goodwin Field.

This game saw 13 pitchers deployed between the teams, as both teams produced 10 hits each. 

It was a back and forth contest in heavy winds and light rain that saw multiple lead changes and a 5-5 tie going into the home half of the 9th inning. Latta stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and one out, and drove in left fielder Colby Wallace from third base for the winning run. 

The Green Waves struck first, taking an early 2-0 lead after two innings. Catcher Brennan Lambert hit a solo home run in the top of the first inning, followed by another solo home run in the second inning by left fielder Jackson Linn. 

Next, Latta stepped up to the plate and knocked an RBI single to left center field, driving in Wallace to make the score 2-1. Catcher Max Ortega tied the game at 2-2 on a fielder's choice. Shortstop JT Navyac drove in the third run of the inning, making it 3-2 Titans.

Following a lead off double to left center by Lambert, Green Waves Brayden Morrow tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the third with a ground-rule double to deep right field. 

Titans designated hitter Brendan Bobo broke the 3-3 tie in the bottom of the 6th inning with a solo home run to right center field, 4-3 Titans. This is his second home run of the season. 

The Green Waves responded immediately with two runs in the top of the 7th inning, retaking the lead 5-4. 

Latta drove in Bobo once again in the bottom of the 8th inning to tie the game, 5-5, with the help of an errant throw to first base and a wild pitch. 

The Titans loaded the bases in the bottom of the 9th inning. After intentionally walking Bobo, Latta came up with a chance to win the game in which he hit an RBI single to right center field, driving in Wallace for the win, 6-5.

“I was just fastball ready. I just want to get in there, get a good swing off of the team and hopefully get a run in and that's exactly what happened,” Latta said about his approach to the final at bat.

With this win, the Titans’ overall record moves to 2-2.

CSUF will be back at Goodwin Field to kick off a three game series against the University of Michigan. First pitch is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m.