FULLERTON, Calif. --- It'll be a meeting of past and current Titans this weekend, as over 30 former Titan greats return to Goodwin Field to take on the 2017 Cal State Fullerton squad, Saturday at 2 pm PT.
Fullerton enters the matchup with momentum on its side, looking to capture its ninth straight victory after earning a narrow 7-4 win over the alumni in last year's contest. The Titans are also armed with four national rankings in preseason polls, including securing top-10 spots in both the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper (No. 10) preseason rankings and Baseball America's (No. 8) preseason list.
There's no reason Cal State Fullerton can't live up to the lofty expectations and return to the NCAA postseason for 26th consecutive season, as it brings back 21 letterwinners from a year ago, including an entire starting pitching staff in sophomore Colton Eastman, juniors Connor Seabold and John Gavin. The three helped guide the Fullerton pitching unit to a school-record low 2.22 ERA in 2016. The mark also led the nation.
Eastman, Seabold and Gavin all earned all-conference honors last season, along with senior infielder Timmy Richards who earned a spot on All-Big West Second Team. He was also selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 18th round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
Eastman has already been named to Collegiate Baseball's Preseason All-American Second Team, while Seabold was considered a top-100 MLB Draft prospect by Baseball America.
However, the other side of the ball is represented by some of the most prestigious figures the game has ever seen, including 14 players who have major league action. This year's alumni group is headlined by legendary head coach Augie Garrido, who retired from the game of baseball last June after completing a remarkable 48-years coaching career, finishing with the most managerial wins in the history of the game (1,975-952-9). He also became the first coach to claim National Championships with multiple college baseball programs, leading the Titans to three of the program's four overall titles (1979, 1984, 1995) and claiming two with the University of Texas (2002, 2005).
DAVID BACANI
Cal State Fullerton: 1998-01
Drafted by New York Mets in the 22nd round of the 2001 MLB Draft
JIM BETZSOLD
Cal State Fullerton: 1991-94
Drafted by the Cleveland Indian in the 20ths round of the 1994 MLB Draft
Cal State Fullerton: 2007
MILES CHAMBERS
Cal State Fullerton: 2014-15
Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 20th round 2016 MLB Draft
Drafted by the Montreal Expos in the first round of the 2003 MLB Draft
Made MLB debut on Aug. 30, 2003…Cordero played for the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals (2003-08) and the Seattle Mariners (2010)…Was named an All-Star, the National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year and the National League saves leader in 2005.
MATT CHAPMAN
Cal State Fullerton: 2012-14
Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft
SHANE COSTA
Cal State Fullerton: 2001-03
Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the second round of the 2003 MLB Draft
Made MLB debut on June 2, 2005…Costa played for the Kansas City Royals from 2005-2007.
Cal State Fullerton: 2004-06
Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the fourth round of the 2006 MLB Draft
Made MLB debut on June 22, 2001…Davis played for the Baltimore Orioles in 2011.
J.D. DAVIS
Cal State Fullerton: 2010, 2012-14
Drafted by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 2014 MLB Draft
KHRIS DAVIS
Cal State Fullerton: 2007-09
Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round of the 2009 Draft
Made MLB debut on April 1, 2013…Davis has played for the Milwaukee Brewers (2013-15) and is currently playing for the Oakland Athletics (2016- current)…He blasted 42 home runs and recorded 102 RBI for the Athletics last season.
CHRIS DEVENSKI
Cal State Fullerton: 2011
Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 25th round of the 2011 MLB Draft
Made MLB debut on April 8, 2016…compiled a 4-4 record to go along with a 2.16 ERA in 108.1 innings pitched in his first season in the big leagues last season with the Houston Astros…Finished fourth in 2016 American League Rookie of the Year voting.
THOMAS ESHELMAN
Cal State Fullerton: 2013-15
Drafted by the Houston Astros in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft
Cal State Fullerton: 1995
Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 27th round of the 1995 MLB Draft
AUGIE GARRIDO (coach)
Cal State Fullerton: 1973-87, 1991-96
While with the Titans, Garrido's teams compiled an impressive mark of 875-341-5 for a winning percentage of .719, which is still the best in school history. In addition to his three titles with the Titans, he helped guide Fullerton to seven College World Series appearances and 16 conference championships, including 11 straight from 1974-84. He was named the National Coach of the Year six different times during his career (1975, 1979, 1984, 1995, 2002, 2005), with four of those instances coming with the Titans.
Cal State Fullerton: 2013-15
Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the eighth round of the 2015 MLB Draft
ANTHONY HUTTING
Cal State Fullerton: 2010-13
Head baseball coach at Cypress College
Cal State Fullerton: 1997-99
Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 17th round of the 1999 MLB Draft
Made MLB debut on April 17, 2003…Johnson played for the Toronto Blue Jays (2003-07), Chicago Cubs (2008-09, 2011-12), Los Angeles Dodgers (2010), Atlanta Braves (2012-13), Miami Marlins (2014) and Washington Nationals (2015)
MARK KOTSAY
Cal State Fullerton: 1994-96
Drafted by the Florida Marlins in the first round of the 1996 MLB Draft
Made MLB debut on July 11, 1997…Kotsay played for The Florida Marlins (1997-00), San Deigo Padres (2001-03, 2012-13), Oakland Athletics (2004-07), Atlanta Braves (2008), Boston Red Sox (2008-09), Chicago White Sox (2009-10) and Milwaukee Brewers (2011)…He's coached for the Padres (2015) and currently for the Athletics (2016-current)…He finished 14th in American League MVP voting in 2004.
CARLOS LOPEZ
Cal State Fullerton: 2010-13
Drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 10th round of the 2013 MLB Draft
A.J. KENNEDY
Cal State Fullerton: 2013-15
Drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 30th round of the 2015 MLB Draft
MIKE LAMB
Cal State Fullerton: 1995-97
Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the seventh round of the 1997 MLB Draft
Made MLB debut on April 23, 2000….Lamb played for the Texas Rangers (2000-03), Houston Astros (2004-07), Minnesota Twins (2008), Milwaukee Brewers (2008), Florida Marlins (2010)
MICHAEL LORENZEN
Cal State Fullerton: 2011-13
Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft
Made MLB debut on April 29, 2015….Lorenzen currently plays for the Cincinnati Reds (2015- current)…He compiled a 2.88 ERA in 50 innings pitched last season.
BRENT MAYNE
Cal State Fullerton: 1988-89
Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 1989 MLB Draft
Made MLB debut on Sept. 18, 1990….Mayne played for the Kansas City Royals (1990-95, 2001-03), New York Mets (1996), Oakland Athletics (1997), San Francisco Giants (1998-99), Colorado Rockies (2000-01), Arizona Diamondbacks (2004) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2004)…He finished eighth in the 1991 American League Rookie of the Year balloting.
Cal State Fullerton: 2004-06
Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the seventh round of the 2006 MLB Draft
Made MLB debut on Sept. 6, 2011…Pill has played for the San Francisco Giants (2011-13) and how has recently signed with the Detroit Tigers after spending a few seasons in Japan.
TYLER PILL
Cal State Fullerton: 2009-11
Drafted by the New York Mets in the fourth round of the 2011 MLB Draft
KEVIN RATH
Cal State Fullerton: 2008-10
Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 26th round of the 2010 MLB Draft
CHAD ROLISH
Cal State Fullerton: 1993-94
Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 19th round of the 1994 MLB Draft
Cal State Fullerton: 1996-98
Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the first round of the 1998 MLB Draft
Made MLB debut on June 12, 1998…He played for the Chicago White Sox (2001-05), Philadelphia Phillies (2006-07) and San Francisco Giants (2008-11)...He was named a National League All-Star and won a Golden Glove in 2006...Rowand finished 22nd in the MVP voting in 2006.
KURT SUZUKI
Cal State Fullerton: 2002-04
Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in second round of the 2004 MLB Draft
Made MLB debut on June 12, 2007…He played for the Oakland Athletics (2007-12, 2013), Washington Nationals (2012-13) and Minnesota Twins (2014-16)…Suzuki just recently signed a deal with the Atlanta Braves…He was named an American League All-Star in 2014.
JOSH VARGAS
Cal State Fullerton: 2015-16
CLAY WILLIAMSON
Cal State Fullerton: 2012-14
Drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 19th round of the 2014 MLB Draft
JASON WINDSOR
Cal State Fullerton: 2003-04
Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the third round of the 2004 MLB Draft
Made MLB debut July 17, 2006…Windsor played for the Oakland Athletics for one season (2006)
Cal State Fullerton: 1999
SIGN UP FOR DINNER WITH THE TITANS
Please join us for our annual fundraiser benefiting the Cal State Fullerton Baseball Program. This year's event will feature a keynote address by Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim manager, Mike Scioscia. The evening will include dinner and drinks, live music, silent auction and a live auction. It will also be a great opportunity to mix and mingle with both current and former Titan baseball players. Funds raised from Dinner with the Titans will directly benefit the nationally-renowned Titan Baseball Program. CLICK HERE to sign up!
OPENING WEEKEND
In honor of Augie Garrido and his extraordinary career, a limited amount of Augie Garrido bobbleheads will be available to fans who purchase a "winning" program any time during Friday's game. "Winning" programs will be marked with a specific stamp that will allow fans to pick up their bobblehead at the various marketing tables around Goodwin Field. Programs will be $3 and available at various marketing tables around the field. Garrido will also throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Friday's game. The celebration will continue on Saturday, as fans will receive special edition Augie Garrido soda cups while supplies last. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets!
SUPPORT THE TITANS!
Fans can purchase tickets for various Cal State Fullerton athletic events by visiting FullertonTitans.com/Tickets. The Athletic Ticket Office can also be contacted by phone at 657-278-2783 or by email at athletictixs@fullerton.edu. The Ticket Office is located at the Titan House off of Gymnasium Drive at the eastern end of the Intramural Fields and is open from 10 am – 4 pm PT, Monday – Friday.
FOLLOW THE TITANS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in Titan Athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook/FullertonTitans), Twitter (@FullertonTitans) Instagram (FullertonTitans) and Snapchat (FullertonTitans). In addition, the baseball team has established its own Twitter (@BaseballTitans) and Instagram accounts (csf_titanbaseball).