Fullerton's class ranks second among Big West Conference opponents, behind 2016 College World Series participant No. 9 UC Santa Barbara. The Titans' recruiting class also ranks fourth amongst teams in California, trailing the Gauchos, No. 16 UCLA and No. 19 San Diego.
Arizona State received the top ranking this season with Mississippi, North Carolina, Arizona and Auburn rounding out the top five. Hawai'i was the third Big West program ranked at No. 37.
Cal State Fullerton wrapped up the 2016 season with a 36-23 (.610) overall record, notching the 42nd straight 30-win season for the Titans. Sixth-year head coach Rick Vanderhook led Fullerton to its 21st Big West Conference title and 29th conference championship overall as he was named Big West Coach of the Year for the fourth time in his career. It was also the Titans' fourth conference title in his five years as head coach. He now holds a 197-103 overall record as coach of the Titans.
Fullerton made its 38th NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016 in 42 seasons at the NCAA Division I level. It was the Titans 25th straight postseason berth, the third longest active streak behind Miami, FL. (44) and Florida State (39).
The Titans' 2016 recruiting class features newcomers Dillon Brown, Daniel Cope, Jimmy Endersby, Evan Larsen, JT McLellan, Jack Pabich, Trent Paddon, Jake Penix, Dillon Persinger, Chris Prescott, Boston Romero, Sahid Valenzuela, Zach Weller, and Joe Willis.
From the junior college level, the Titans welcome Persinger, the 2016 California Community College Southern California Player of the Year out of Golden West Community College. In addition, Fullerton boasts, Willis, the 2016 California Community College Southern California Pitcher of the Year from Rio Hondo Community College. Prescott, an outfielder, was also named to the 2016 California Community College All-Southern California Team out of Orange Coast College.
Persinger batted .417 with 39 RBI, 75 hits, 20 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 44 runs scored, 28 walks and 15 stolen bases. Willis was 8-2 on the mound in 15 starts with a 3.00 ERA, striking out 110 in 105 innings pitched.
Brown, a right-hander out of Foothill High School, was named to the all-California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division II Team, while Larsen, a right-hander out of Corona Del Mar High School, was named to the all-CSIF Southern Section Division III Team.
The Titans have four games scheduled for the fall, beginning on Saturday, Oct. 22, hosting Orange Coast College at Goodwin Field with first pitch set for 1 p.m.