Troy roughs up Belleque, Fullerton in Freeway opener

FULLERTON – With three players committed to play at NCAA Division I schools next season, Fullerton appeared to be the favorite against Troy going into Friday’s Freeway League opener for both teams.

But the host Warriors clearly played like the better team, winning 8-2.

Troy scored five runs in the first two innings against Indians starting pitcher Christian Belleque, who has signed to play at Fresno State.

With two outs in the bottom of the second inning, Warriors catcher Brant Whiting connected with an up-and-away fastball, sending it over the fence for a three-run home run and a 5-0 lead.

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“It looked like a watermelon to me,” Whiting said. “I looked for a first-pitch fastball, and I got it. Pitchers, no matter how good they are, still make mistakes. Good hitting teams see those mistakes and hit them.”

Some hustle set up Whiting’s blast. The ninth batter in the lineup, Matt Murray, legged out an infield single before Michael Gregory followed with a hit-and-run single for Troy (5-1 overall).

“That was crucial, that was sweet,” Warriors coach Marc Price said. “We knew weeks ago they were throwing him (Belleque). He’s really good.”

Belleque wasn't at his best Friday, allowing five earned runs on eight hits in six innings.

“He was struggling a little to start,” Fullerton coach Dane Ilertsen said. “That’s how he is. He’ll struggle the first two innings, then he (usually) nails the last five innings.”

Troy took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Gregory led things off by reaching on an error by first baseman Jackson Buis. Whiting advanced him to second on a groundout, then Dakota Wix doubled Gregory home.

Wix, who scored two runs in the game, scored on a single by cleanup hitter Sam Kemp.

The Indians (3-3 overall) had opportunities, but baserunning mistakes prevented them from cashing in.

Jeff Noriega led the game off with a single, then Michael Lorenzen, who has committed to Cal State Fullerton, was safe on a fielder’s choice. But Lorenzen got picked off at first by Troy starting pitcher Jake Byrens. Greg Velazquez, another Cal State Fullerton signee, struck out to end the threat.

Cameron Ochoa (1-0) was credited for the victory. He allowed one run on four hits over 2 1/3 innings.

In the second inning, Buis and Tyler Brisbine followed each other with walks. Warriors center fielder Eric Fredericksen made a full-extension dive for the first out, then Aaron Howard beat out a potential double play. Howard was later picked off by Byrens to end the inning.

“They were big,” Ilertsen said of his team's baserunning mistakes. “We had seven guys on in the first three innings and couldn’t score.”

Lorenzen scored both runs for Fullerton and he hit a solo homer in the top of the fifth. Velazquez hit an RBI double in the seventh and went 2-for-4.