Kelly Calligan, Assistant Photo Editor

On the surface it looks like just another loss for San Diego State.

Another game in which the pitchers couldn’t avoid the big inning.

Another game in which strikeouts kept the hitters from starting one of their own.

To a casual observer, the loss seems just like the other 11 that preceded it.

However, it would be wrong to look at Tuesday night’s 10-5 defeat to No. 7 Cal State Fullerton and assume SDSU is in the same position it was a month, or even a week ago.

At least Aztec head coach Tony Gwynn thinks so.

“We’re getting better,” Gwynn said. “We got down early, but our guys didn’t quit.

“Other than losing, I was happy with how we played tonight.”

The Titans (11-6) jumped on SDSU (6-12) early with a seven-run second inning, cruising to the 10-5 win Tuesday night at Goodwin Field.

However, Gwynn felt that, other than the second inning, the Aztecs’ play gave him plenty of reasons to be pleased.

“The positives outweighed the negatives,” Gwynn said. “We did enough offensively to give us a chance, and it’s tough when the hitters see a different guy on the mound every two innings.”

Fullerton pitcher Justin Klipp’s (2-0) two innings of one run ball were good enough to earn him the win, but much of the pitching staff deserved credit. Seven Titans saw time on the mound, recording as many strikeouts (nine) as SDSU had hits.

Gwynn said that while strikeouts remain one of the team’s biggest problems at the plate, he was happy with the progress made by the hitters.

“They’re working the count so they’re gonna get pitches to hit,” Gwynn said. “Now they have to do something with the pitch they can hit.”

Trailing 8-3 in the top of the seventh inning, junior center fielder Quintin Berry got that pitch and took advantage, knocking a two-run homer – his first of the year.

“We’ve been working with ‘Q’ offensively, and he showed that good things can happen when you wait for your pitch,” Gwynn said.

Berry’s home run cut the Titan’s lead to 8-5, but they scored one run in each of the next two innings to put the game back out of reach.

Although the matchup with Fullerton is finished, things don’t get any easier for the Aztecs. This weekend, SDSU will play host to a USD team that has been ranked as high as No. 9 in the nation.

“There are no cupcakes on our schedule and that’s the way we like it,” Gwynn said. “We like to face good teams every time out.”

“That’s the best way to prepare for (the Mountain West) Conference.”