Mikiah Negrete's two-hit shutout leads Cal State Fullerton past Hawaii
Cal State Fullerton's Mikiah Negrete delivered a dominant performance on the mound, pitching a two-hit shutout against Hawaii. The left-hander struck out 11 batters in a 2-0 victory, continuing his strong form since transferring from the University of San Diego. His standout display also overshadowed Hawaii pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno's best outing of the season. Negrete took the mound for the series opener against the Rainbow Warriors, marking the third straight year he faced Hawaii in the first game. This time, he allowed just two hits and no runs, a clear improvement from his previous meetings with the team. His arsenal included a sharp slider and a 91 mph fastball, paired with an unusual four-hitch delivery that kept batters off balance.
The Titans struck first in the second inning when Nick Miller led off with a double and later scored on Brady Dobson's RBI double. Their second run came in the eighth, as Niko Lombardi singled, moved up on a hit-by-pitch, and crossed home on Cameron Kim's RBI double.
Magdaleno, Hawaii's starter, matched Negrete's intensity early on, allowing only five hits and one walk while striking out 12 in 7 1/3 innings. Despite his strong effort, Hawaii coach Rich Hill—who has known Negrete since high school—acknowledged that the Titans' pitcher simply outdueled his team.
Negrete's season stats reflect his growth since joining Cal State Fullerton in 2023. By early 2026, he held a 2-1 record with a 1.08 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 16.2 innings. His form improved further by mid-March, reaching a 3-1 record, a 2.12 ERA, and 32 strikeouts in 29.2 innings, including a quality start against CSU Bakersfield (6 IP, 2 R, 8 K, 0 BB). The win lifted the Titans to 12-13 overall and 6-4 in the Big West Conference. Meanwhile, Hawaii fell to 13-11 and 3-7 in league play. Negrete's performance reinforced his role as a key pitcher for Cal State Fullerton, while Magdaleno's effort, though strong, wasn't enough to prevent the Rainbow Warriors' fourth straight conference loss.
