Preview: Cal State Fullerton Titans at Long Beach State Dirtbags

LONG BEACH, Calif. (Interstat) — The Cal State Fullerton Titans look to secure a series victory when they visit the Long Beach State Dirtbags in a Big West Conference matchup Sunday evening at Blair Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures near 69 degrees.

The Titans (15-15, 3-2 Big West) have dominated the series opener, winning 10-0 on Friday behind a historic pitching performance. Saturday’s result was not provided. Fullerton has won four of its last five games.

Long Beach State (10-22, 1-4) seeks to end a three-game skid and salvage the final game of the series on its home field.

A marquee pitching rematch is anticipated. Cal State Fullerton’s Mikiah Negrete is expected to start after throwing a seven-inning no-hitter with five strikeouts against the Dirtbags just two days ago. Over his last two starts, Negrete has pitched 14 scoreless innings, allowing only five hits.

Long Beach State may counter with Ka’imi Kahalekai, who started Friday’s loss. Kahalekai held the Titans to two earned runs over 5 2/3 innings, striking out seven, but was outdueled by Negrete.

The Titans’ offense was powered in Friday’s win by Cameron Kim, who went 2 for 6 with an RBI, and Paul Contreras, who hit a two-run homer.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a narrow 4-3 victory for Cal State Fullerton, giving the Titans a 54.7% probability to win according to its ELO rating system.

Following Sunday’s game, Cal State Fullerton will host San Diego on Tuesday before a non-conference series at Oregon State. Long Beach State will host Southern California on Tuesday before a midweek game against San Diego State.