FULLERTON, Calif. (Interstat) — Mikiah Negrete pitched seven scoreless innings and Paul Contreras drove in three runs as Cal State Fullerton opened a Big West Conference series with a 9-1 victory over UC Riverside on Thursday afternoon at Goodwin Field.

Negrete allowed five hits and struck out six. Contreras homered in the first inning and added a two-run single in the third. Ty Thomas hit a three-run homer later in the third, staking the Titans to a 6-0 lead.

The Highlanders scored an unearned run in the fourth. Lucas Bonham had two of Riverside’s five hits. Four Titans relievers combined for four perfect innings, with Brock Mayer striking out four over two frames.

Cal State Fullerton improved to 12-14 overall. UC Riverside dropped to 8-20. The teams continue their series Friday.