FULLERTON (CBSLA.com) —  Sports Central featured the story of a very young and courageous athlete fighting against a deadly disease in 2010.

Sadly, after a long bout with bone cancer, it was announced Cal State Fullerton pitcher Nick Hurtado passed away Friday night at the age of 21.

Hurtado was a standout pitcher at Santiago High School in Corona and accepted a scholarship in 2009 to pitch for the Titans.

The following year he was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer called osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone tumor that usually develops in teenagers.

“When they offered me the scholarship, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, Yes. I’d love to be a Titan!’” said Hurtado in 2010. “That was one of the best moments of my life.”

Hurtado inspired many people as he eventually joined the Fullerton baseball team for the 2012 season.

Before the  Fullerton’s baseball game against UC Davis, teams held a moment of silence and a video tribute was played in honor of the former Titans pitcher.

It’s the second loss to the Cal State Fullerton family in recent weeks.

Women’s basketball assistant Monica Quan — and her fiance, Keith Lawrence — were allegedly gunned down by Christopher Dorner on Feb. 3.