CATCH ALL THE ACTION
Television: None
Streaming Video: Not available for UCR series. Streaming video will be available at www.FullertonTitans.com courtesy of BigWest.tv for Tuesday's game vs. UCLA.
Audio Webcast: An audio webcast will be available for all four games www.FullertonTitans.com.
Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at www.FullertonTitans.com.
TICKETS: Single-game tickets for all home games can be purchased online at www.FullertonTitans.com as well as in person or by calling the Cal State Fullerton Athletics Ticket Office at (657) 278-2783 from the hours of 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. On gamedays, tickets can be purchased one hour prior to first pitch at the Goodwin Field ticket box office.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow @BaseballTitans for daily updates during the 2013 season.
SENIOR DAY: Cal State Fullerton will honor its senior class prior to Tuesday's game vs. UCLA.
TITANS IN THE BIG WEST
Cal State Fullerton was picked as the favorite to win the 2013 Big West title as selected by the 10 conference head coaches that voted in the Big West Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll, it was released by the league on Jan. 31. Fullerton, winner of the past three league titles, captured the 2012 league crown with a 17-7 mark, one game ahead of Cal Poly.
Overall, Cal State Fullerton has totaled 26 conference championships dating back to 1975, including 10 in the last 14 years. Overall, Cal State Fullerton has posted a dominant 687-238-2 conference record over 39 seasons.
CURRENT STATUS
Cal State Fullerton sits at the top of the Big West standings with a conference record of 15-3, and the Titans currently have a one-game lead over Cal State Northridge (30-18, 14-4).
CSF vs. UC RIVERSIDE
First Year Played/Last Year Played: 1978/2012
Overall Record: 30-19
Current Streak: Lost 2
Overall Conference (Big West) Record: 18-15
Home Record: 20-6
Road Record: 10-13
Neutral Record: 0-0
Longest Winning Streak: 9 games (3/28/09-5/18/12)
Longest Losing Streak: 4 games (5/12/02 to 5/4/03)
Extra Innings: 2-2
Most Runs Scored in a Game: 18 runs (3/29/09)
Most Runs Scored in a Game by Opponent: 13 runs (5/2/03)
Largest Margin of Victory: 17 runs (3/29/09)
Largest Margin of Defeat: 10 runs (5/2/03)
UC RIVERSIDE: The Highlanders are coming off of a tough series over the weekend at Cal Poly where the Mustangs nipped UCR in all three games by scores of 4-1, 3-1 and 4-3. UC Riverside's top four hitters are all batting north of .321, but the remaining regulars are all at .252 or lower.
VERSUS UC RIVERSIDE: Cal State Fullerton holds an all-time record of 30-19 against UC Riverside (dating back to 1978). In Riverside, the Highlanders hold a 13-10 advantage. This weekend's series will mark the 13th time the two clubs play a conference series against one another dating back to 2001. In those meetings, the Titans have won the series on eight occasions, including sweeping UCR three times. On the road, Fullerton has won two of five series held in Riverside, sweeping the Highlanders at the Plex in 2011.
Last season at Goodwin, UC Riverside won the final two games of the series against the Titans, dealing Fullerton its second series lost of the year and its first in Big West play.
At the Plex, the Highlanders have won series against Fullerton 2003, 2005 and 2007, UCR sweeping the Titans in 2003 and 2007.
CSF vs. UCLA
First Year Played/Last Year Played: 1975/2013
Overall Record: 62-28-2
Current Streak: Won 1
NCAA Regional Record: 4-2
NCAA Super Regional Record: 3-2
Overall NCAA Postseason Record: 7-4
Home Record: 33-12-1
Road Record: 27-15-1
Neutral Record: 2-1
Longest Winning Streak: 7 games, 2x, last from 2/24/07 to 3/5/08)
Longest Losing Streak: 4 games (5/7/86 to 4/22/87)
Extra Innings: 2-4
Most Runs Scored in a Game: 19 runs (4/22/98)
Most Runs Scored in a Game by Opponent: 16 runs, 2 times (4/22/87)
Largest Margin of Victory: 15 runs (2/22/84)
Largest Margin of Defeat: 10 runs (2/16/82)
UCLA: Eighth-ranked UCLA (31-14, 14-7 Pac-12) recently suffered a 4-1 loss to Cal State Northridge on Tuesday night. Prior to that loss, the Bruins had won four straight, which included a sweep of Utah at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Before traveling to Fullerton on Tuesday, UCLA will host defending national champion Arizona this weekend.
VERSUS UCLA: The Titans have an all-time 69-28-2 advantage over UCLA, including a 33-12-1 edge in Fullerton. The Bruins and Titans met once before this season at Jackie Robinson Stadium, with Fullerton topping UCLA, 9-6.
A JUMP IN THE RANKINGS: Cal State Fullerton enters the week at No. 4 in the Baseball America Top-25 poll. The Titans have been ranked in the top-10 for 10 straight weeks.
OFF TO A HOT START: Currently with a record of 39-7, Fullerton's start is the best for the program since the 1996 squad opened the year 39-7. The NCAA RPI currently rates Fullerton at No. 9 in the country as the Titans boast an 8-2 record against top-25 teams. The closest Big West program to Fullerton's ranking is Cal Poly at No. 36.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Cal State Fullerton is one of two teams in the country with a minimum of 20 wins on the road this season. Canisius leads the nation with 24 road wins, while the Titans have totaled 21 victories away from Goodwin Field. The Titans are batting .264 on the road, and have outscored opponents 139-62 as the pitching staff manages a 2.20 ERA. In addition, Fullerton boasts a .973 fielding percentage on the road.
LOOKING AHEAD: Cal State Fullerton is one win shy of reaching 40 for 2013. The Titans' next victory would mark the team's 27th 40-win season since 1975...freshman Justin Garza has 10 victories on the mound this season, just one short of matching Tyler Pill's freshman record of 11 wins in 2011.
NATIONAL RANKINGS: Fullerton's 2.46 ERA leads the Big West and ranks sixth in the country...the pitching staff's mark of 1.55 walks allowed per 9.0 innings leads the country...the Titans' 4.58 strikeout-to-walk ratio also leads the nation...Fullerton's 7.5 hits allowed per nine innings ranks 13th in the country...the Titans' 0.977 fielding percentage ranks 17th in the country..Justin Garza's 10 wins tie Joey Wagman's (Cal Poly) same mark for tops in the Big West, and the 10 victories also tie for third in the country...Garza and freshman Ryan Kellogg (Arizona State) are the only rookies to have totaled at least 10 wins in the nation this season...Thomas Eshelman's 1.51 ERA tops the Big West Conference, ranks 23rd in the country and rates fifth amongst freshmen across the country in 2013...in addition, Eshelman's mark of 6.13 hits allowed per nine innings ranks 30th while he leads the country in walks allowed per nine innings (0.22), strikeout-to-walk-ratio (16th) and WHIP (0.71)...Michael Lorenzen's 15 saves tie for third in the country...Grahamm Wiest's 1.11 walks allowed per nine innings rank 19th in the country and his 7.0 strikeout-to-walk ratio rates 16th.
STARTING STAFF: Cal State Fullerton's 2.46 ERA tops the Big West Conference and ranks sixth in the nation. The weekend trio of Thomas Eshelman (Friday), Justin Garza (Saturday) and Grahamm Wiest (Sunday), have combined for 36 starts, 248 and 2/3 innings, 193 strikeouts while managing a 2.09 ERA.
ESHELMAN: During his rookie season, Eshelman has been named to the Golden Spikes Midseason Watch List as well as the College Baseball Foundation Pitcher of the Year Watch List.
In his first season for Cal State Fullerton, the Titans' Friday-night starter posts a record of 8-2 in 12 starts and his miniscule 1.51 ERA leads the Big West, ranks 23rd in the country and fifth among freshmen across the nation.
Eshelman has pitched in three combined shutouts this season, and has struck out 56 while holding opposing batters to a staff-best .192 average.
In his first 63 and 1/3 innings as a collegiate pitcher, Eshelman did not issue a walk, a streak that fell just two innings short of Wes Roemer's program record of 65 and 1/3 innings in 2006. The main difference between the two streaks was that Eshelman plunked only two batters, while Roemer drilled 12.
In addition, Eshelman's mark of 6.13 hits allowed per nine innings ranks 30th in the country, while he leads the nation in walks allowed per nine innings (0.22), strikeout-to-walk-ratio (16th) and WHIP (0.71). Eshelman has also totaled 10 quality starts in 2013.
On Feb. 15, 2013, he became the first freshman to start a season opener for the Titans since Feb. 5, 1987 when Mark Beck took the mound vs. Saint Mary's. Eshelman didn't disappoint the sellout crowd of 3,508 as CSF edged USC, 3-2.
GARZA: Garza (10-0, 2.25) has picked up wins over Nebraska, TCU, Oregon, Texas A&M, Oral Roberts, Pacific, UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly, Hawai'i and Long Beach State during 12 weeks on the mound. In addition, the Titans are an undefeated 12-0 when Garza starts. In a staff-leading 84 innings, Garza has surrendered 21 earned runs while fanning 67 - a total that rates fifth in the Big West. Garza was the first Titan freshman since Dylan Floro in 2010 to win five straight starts.
Garza's 10 wins tie Joey Wagman's (Cal Poly) same mark for tops in the Big West, and the 10 victories also tie for third in the country. Garza and freshman Ryan Kellogg (Arizona State) are the only rookies to have totaled at least 10 wins in the nation this season.
WIEST: Sophomore Grahamm Wiest (8-2, 2.56, 70 K) solidifies the rotation on Sunday as his 70 strikeouts lead the Titans and rank second in the Big West. Wiest's 1.11 walks allowed per nine innings rank 19th in the country and his 7.0 strikeout-to-walk ratio rates 16th.
THE STREAKS ARE OVER: Thomas Eshelman issued his first walk of the season to Brandon Trinkwon in the top of the sixth vs. UC Santa Barbara on April 12. The walk ended Eshelman's streak at 63 and 1/3 innings without issuing a base on balls. The streak was just shy of the all-time record held by Wes Roemer at 65 and 1/3 innings to start the 2006 season. During Roemer's stretch, he drilled 12 batters, during Eshelman's stretch he plunked only two batters. Roemer also delivered his first walk in his ninth start of the season, in the sixth inning vs. Cal State Northridge on March 31.
Michael Lorenzen was denied a save after surrendering two runs to UC Santa Barbara in the top of the ninth on April 12. The blown save ended his streak of 16 straight that dated back to May 1, 2012.
AT THE PLATE: Entering the 2013 season, Cal State Fullerton had 15 position players from a year ago returning to the roster, including six starters. That wealth of experience has helped the Titans to its No. 4 ranking and 39-7 record. Fullerton's offense currently leads the Big West or is tied for the lead in the following offensive categories: on-base percentage (.386), runs scored (284), RBIs (253), triples (22), walks (205), and stolen bases (62).
EARLY AND OFTEN: A key ingredient to Fullerton's success has been the club's ability to score early and often. Cal State Fullerton has outscored opponents in 48-8 in the first inning in 2013, and Fullerton has outscored opponents 109-33 in the first three innings of games this year. Fullerton is 27-3 in 2013 when scoring first, and 12-4 when the opponent scores first.
OVER THE FENCES: In 2012, the Titans totaled just 10 home runs. After just 12 weeks in 2013, Fullerton has already surpassed that total, hitting 26 round trippers. Michael Lorenzen leads the Titans with seven home runs followed by Anthony Hutting (4), J.D. Davis (3), Matt Chapman (2), Jake Jefferies (2), Austin Kingsolver (2), Carlos Lopez (2), Greg Velazquez (2), Richy Pedroza (1), and Chad Wallach (1). The Titans have also hit four grand slams in 2013.
GOOD FOR EXTRAS: Entering the week, Michael Lorenzen's 15 saves top the Big West and are tied for third in the country.
In 17 appearances this season, Lorenzen has tossed 17 and 1/3 innings, striking out 13 and managing a 2.08 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .197 clip.
In addition, in both of his blown saves this season, Lorenzen has kept the Titans within reach to earn the win in both games. His 31 career saves rank fourth all-time at Fullerton.
At the plate, Lorenzen leads Cal State Fullerton or is tied for the lead in several offensive categories; slugging percentage (.532; 2nd Big West), RBIs (42; 2nd Big West), home runs (7; T-3rd Big West), and game-winning RBIs (7). His 13-game hitting streak from March 15-April 2 was the longest for any Titan this season, as Fullerton went 12-1 during that stretch while Lorenzen batted .469 with 19 RBIs, three doubles, three home runs and 13 runs scored.
NOTES FROM LAST WEEK: The Titans' 39-7 record is the best for the program since the 1996 squad opened the year 39-7...Fullerton's 9-4 win over Long Beach State on Sunday marked the 500th victory at Goodwin Field - 658 Fullerton games have been played at Goodwin since 1992...the Titans have won 11 weekend series in 2013 and have swept six weekend opponents...Fullerton swept Long Beach State in Big West play for the first time since 2011...the Titans have swept the Dirtbags at Goodwin Field in Long Beach's last three Big Wets Conference trips to Fullerton (2009, 2011, 2013)...Fullerton swept all six games (3 non-conference, 3 conference) against Long Beach State for the first time since 2006...in Sunday's 9-4 victory over Long Beach State, Fullerton's pitching staff struck out at least 10 batters for the seventh time in 2013... Fullerton is now 12-4 when the opponent scores first…the Titans have erased a one-run deficit on nine occasions in 2013…Fullerton has scored at least four runs in an inning on 17 occasions in 2013... Cal State Fullerton has outscored opponents 48-8 in the first inning this year.
Vanderhook Signs Five-Year Contract Extension: Second-year Cal State Fullerton head baseball coach Rick Vanderhook signed a five-year contract extension through the 2018 season, it was announced by Athletic Director Jim Donovan on April 15.
"I am privileged and grateful to continue as the head coach at Cal State Fullerton," Vanderhook said. "The coaching staff and our student-athletes work each and every day to continue the tradition of hard-nosed Titan baseball. We believe that this effort will result in the prolonged success of our program that our students, campus, community and fans deserve and have come to expect."
During the 2012 campaign, Vanderhook didn't miss a beat, taking the Titans to the Big West Conference championship, a top-20 national ranking for the majority of the season, and the Titans' 21st consecutive NCAA appearance. His rookie year also resulted in his first conference coach of the year award.
VOTE4CARLOS: Cal State Fullerton senior first baseman Carlos Lopez was selected as one of 10 NCAA baseball student-athletes who excel both on and off the field for the 2013 Senior CLASS Award, it was announced on April 24.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 30 candidates announced in February. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2013 NCAA College World Series® in Omaha June 15-26.
NICK HURTADO: The Cal State Fullerton baseball program is mourning the loss of teammate Nick Hurtado, who passed away at the age of 21 after a battle with cancer on March 1.
Hurtado, a 2010 graduate of Corona Santiago High School in Corona, Calif., committed the Titans as a senior in the fall of 2009, before his battle with bone cancer began.
Hurtado was a four-year letterwinner for head coach Ty DeTrinidad and the Sharks. Before his senior season began, Hurtado was diagnosed with cancer after being hit by a ball in the knee during the preseason. On March 5, 2010, he made his only appearance of his senior season at Corona Santiago, tossing one pitch (a strike) in the opening game of the 2010 season just days before his treatment was to begin.
The pitcher was finally able to join the Titans for the 2012 season, but sat out the year as his treatment and recovery continued. Due to his illness, he was unable to join the roster in 2013, but made the effort to connect with his teammates at Goodwin Field as often as possible.
Statement from the 2013 Titans
"The world lost and amazing person last night. We will forever remember his genuine love for the people around him, and for life itself. He was the ultimate friend, and we hope we can grow, and be half the person he was. He touched the lives of so many people with his compassion and unyielding positive attitude. He will be in our hearts every single day."
PICKED TO WIN IT: Cal State Fullerton was picked as the favorite to win the 2013 Big West title as selected by the 10 conference head coaches that voted in the Big West Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll, it was released by the league on Jan. 31.
The Titans were voted to defend their Big West title as the program garnered nine of the 10 available first-place votes.
Fullerton, winner of the past three league titles, captured the 2012 league crown with a 17-7 mark, one game ahead of Cal Poly. Fullerton has won 10 conference championships in the Super Regional era (dating back to 1999; 14 years), sharing the titles with Nevada in 2000 and Long Beach State in 2008.
TITANS AND THE BIG WEST: Overall, Cal State Fullerton has totaled 26 conference championships dating back to 1975, including 10 in the last 14 years. With last season's title, the Titans made their 34th postseason appearance as well. Overall, Cal State Fullerton has posted a dominant 687-238-1 conference record over 39 seasons. Rick Vanderhook, the school's fifth Div. I head coach, won his first Big West crown in 2012, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, Augie Garrido (14 conference championships), Larry Cochell (1), George Horton (7) and Dave Serrano (3).
A further breakdown has the Titans winning three PCAA conference championships (1975-76, 1987), eight straight SCBA titles (1977-84) and 15 while playing under the Big West name (1990-91, 94-95, 1997, 1999-2001, 2004-06, 2008, 2010-12). The Big West absorbed the PCAA records in 1990 upon its formation, giving the Titans 18 total Big West championships and a 499-189 (.725; 30 years) PCAA/Big West Conference record.
LORENZEN PRESEASON HONORS: Michael Lorenzen returned to the diamond after an All-American season in 2012. Lorenzen received four preseason All-American selections entering 2013. He was projected as the National Player of The Year by Collegiate Baseball, and was named to the 13th annual NCBWA Preseason All-America second team as well as the Perfect Game Preseason College All-American second team. He was also selected to the 2013 Baseball America Preseason All-America second team.
HOME GROWN: Thirty-four men on the Titans' 35-man roster list their hometown within the great State of California. The lone Titan not from the Golden State comes from, where else? Nebraska. Sophomore southpaw Tyler Peitzmeier is from Yutan, Neb., a city about 25 miles east of the Mecca of college baseball, Omaha.
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE: In 2013, the Titans will play seven opponents that advanced to the 2012 Division I Baseball tournament (Oral Roberts, Pepperdine, Texas A&M, San Diego) three opponents that advanced to the super regionals (Oregon, TCU) and one opponent that advanced to the College World Series (UCLA)…CSF will play four opponents that finished 2012 ranked in Baseball America's Top-25 (No. 5 UCLA, No. 11 Oregon, No. 16 TCU, No. 19 Texas A&M)…six of Fullerton's opponents were ranked in the top-50 of the NCAA's final top-50 2012 RPI ratings (No. 1 UCLA, No. 6 Oregon, No. 16 Texas A&M, No. 29 Pepperdine, No. 31 TCU, No. 36 San Diego )...four of CSF's opponents were also conference champions in 2012: Pepperdine (West Coast), TCU (co-Mountain West), Oral Roberts (Summit), UCLA (Pac-12).
CONTINUED EXCELLENCE: The Titans have won 30-plus games in each of its 39 seasons at the Div. I level and are tied for third in the nation when it comes to most consecutive 30-win campaigns. The only Titan team to win as few as 30 games was the 1989 squad skippered by Larry Cochell. The Titans have never had a losing season at the Div. I level. Fullerton comes in tied for third with Clemson and behind Arizona State and Miami. Pepperdine, which was ranked No. 5, saw its 32-year streak ended in 2010.
Consecutive 30+ win seasons (active)
1. Arizona State 51 (includes 2013)
2. Miami, Fla. 43 (includes 2013)
3. Cal State Fullerton 39 (includes 2013)
Clemson 39 (includes 2013)
THE ROOKIES: Cal State Fullerton's 2012 class was ranked the No. 23 recruiting class in the nation, according to Baseball America's annual evaluation.
Under second-year head coach Rick Vanderhook and recruiting coordinator Mike Kirby, the Titans have welcomed 13 freshmen to Goodwin Field.
DRAFT DODGERS: Nine Titans on the current roster have been selected previously in the MLB First-Year Players draft. Carlos Lopez is the only Titan that has been drafted while at Fullerton. He was selected as a redshirt his sophomore year (based on his age), but declined the offer made by the Detroit Tigers in 2010.
TITANS IN THE DRAFT (by round):
J.D. Davis 2011 5th round Tampa Bay Rays
Michael Lorenzen 2010 7th round Tampa Bay Rays
Austin Diemer 2011 26th round Cleveland Indians
Justin Garza 2012 26th round Cleveland Indians
Jake Jefferies 2012 34th round Washington Nationals
Carlos Lopez 2010 37th round Detroit Tigers
Anthony Hutting 2009 38th round Texas Rangers
David Olmedo-Barrera 2012 40th round Oakland Athletics
Chad Wallach 2010 43rd round Los Angeles Dodgers
TOP 50 FRESHMAN: Ontario, Calif., native Justin Garza was ranked ninth by Baseball America in the publication's evaluation of the top 50 freshmen in college baseball released in early February.
TOP 50 SOPHOMORES: Matt Chapman, 2012 Big West Freshman of the Year, was ranked 18th by Baseball America in the publication's evaluation of the top 50 sophomores in college baseball released in early February. Chapman was also rated by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Big West Conference for the 2014 MLB Draft. J.D. Davis was considered the fifth-best prospect in the Big West for the 2014 draft.
TOP 50 JUNIORS: All-American Michael Lorenzen was ranked 19th by Baseball America in the publication's evaluation of the top 50 juniors in college baseball released in early February. Lorenzen was also rated by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Big West Conference for the 2013 draft.
TOP 50 SENIORS: Senior shortstop Richy Pedroza was ranked 45th by Baseball America in the publication's evaluation of the top 50 seniors in college baseball released in early February. Pedroza led the Titans batting .324 in 2012.
FAMILY AFFAIR: The Titans have six players on the 2013 roster that have had family members play for Fullerton in the past:
• Outfielder Anthony Hutting is the cousin of former Titan star and major league outfielder Aaron Rowand (.345, 23 HR, 121 RBI from 1996-98).
• Infielder Richy Pedroza's older brother, Sergio, was a national champion outfielder for the Titans (.328, 27 HR, 121 RBI from 2003-05).
• Outfielder Austin Kingsolver's father, Kurt, was a national champion catcher in 1979 (.291, 5 HR, 30 RBI in 1979) and was a teammate of College Baseball Hall of Famer Tim Wallach.
• Catcher Chad Wallach's father, Tim Wallach (.392, 39 HR, 182 RBI), was a national champion, a Golden Spikes Award winner, and a first-round draft pick in 1979. Chad's older brother, and Tim's eldest son, Matt, was also a Titan in 2005 (.255, 5 HR, 28 RBI in 2007) and played first base like his father. Tim is currently entering his third year as the third base coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Pitcher Dave Birosak's brother, Dustin (0-0, 2.89 ERA), was a relief pitcher for the 2007 Titans.
• And to top it all off… Head Coach Rick Vanderhook has had two nephews, Russ (.500, 0 HR, 0 RBI in 1999) and Cory (.304, 1 HR, 17 RBI in 2006) play in a Titan uniform. Coach Vanderhook, himself, was a player in 1983 and 1984. Cory is currently serving as an administrative assistant.
• Freshman right-hander Joe Navilhon's father (Larry) played at Cal State Fullerton from 1979-1980.
• First baseman Carlos Lopez and right-handed pitcher Michael Lopez are of no relation.
TITANS IN THE BIG LEAGUES: The Titans have had 53 former players make their major leagues debuts since their first products, Dan Whitmer and Tim Wallach, got there in 1980. Most recently, Khris Davis made his debut for Milwaukee on April 1. Erik Komatsu got the call in 2012, taking last year's totals to nine: David Cooper (Toronto), Reed Johnson (Chicago Cubs/Atlanta), Erik Komatsu (St. Louis/Minnesota), Mark Kotsay (San Diego), Brett Pill (San Francisco), Kurt Suzuki (Oakland/Washington), Justin Turner (New York Mets), Vinnie Pestano (Cleveland) and Ricky Romero (Toronto).