COLLEGE ROUNDUP : CS Fullerton Defeats UC Santa Barbara

Brian Loyd and C.J. Ankrum each hit home runs and drove in three runs as second-ranked Cal State Fullerton beat UC Santa Barbara, 7-5, in a Big West Conference baseball game Sunday in Santa Barbara.

The Titans (29-5, 5-1 in conference) swept the series from Santa Barbara and also moved into a first-place tie with Long Beach State. Long Beach lost to New Mexico State, 12-9, on Sunday.

Long Beach State plays at Fullerton at 7 p.m. Friday in the first of a three-game series.

Santa Barbara (12-13, 1-5) led, 5-4, going into the seventh but the Titans rallied for three runs in the inning. Tony Miranda singled and Ankrum followed with his first home run to give Fullerton a 6-5 lead.

Mark Kotsay then walked, went to third on a single by Jeremy Giambi and scored on a sacrifice fly by Loyd.

Ted Silva (9-1) gave up nine hits and five earned runs in 8 1/3 innings for the victory. Kotsay got the final two outs for his seventh save.

In another Big West Conference game:

New Mexico State 12, Long Beach State 9--Jason Minici had a home run, scored three runs, and drove in two for visiting Long Beach State (18-12, 5-1).

Long Beach State led, 9-6, after 5 1/2 innings but New Mexico State (26-13, 3-3) rallied for three runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh.