FULLERTON, Calif. – Long Beach State kicked off their penultimate weekend with a 2-1 victory over rival Cal State Fullerton on Friday night. The win marks their third win over the last four days.

The defending national pitcher of the week, Nico Zeglin, got the nod for game one of the rivalry series and turned in his ninth quality start of the season. In 6.1 innings, he allowed just one run while scattering five hits and two walks while striking out three. The only run he allowed came across to score with one out in the first inning before shutting down the Titans the rest of the way.

Cole Santander was the start of the night with his first big swing coming in the fourth on a solo home run to tie the game up at one. It is his third homer of the season.

Four innings later, the sophomore came through with another huge hit in the top of the eighth. With a runner on first, Santander launched a ball into the right-center gap for the eventual game-winning RBI double.

Jonathan Carlos relieved the right-hander with 2.1 scoreless innings surrendering just two hits while striking out four. After two Fullerton hitters reached in the ninth, he handed the ball off to Sky Wells to record a strikeout for his fourth save of the season.

Connor Burns and Kyle Ashworth each registered three-hit nights in the win. Burns was 3-for-4 with three singles while Ashworth recorded two singles and a double.

The 2-1 victory puts Coach Valenzuela at 6-2 against the Titans in his tenure as the Dirtbags head coach.

Long Beach State will matchup for game two of the rivalry weekend with Cal State Fullerton tomorrow afternoon. First pitch at 5 p.m.