The USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll is conducted weekly throughout the regular season using a panel of head coaches at Division I schools. Each coach submits a Top 25 with a first-place vote worth 25 points, second place 24, and so on down to one point for 25th.
For Fullerton, the ranking is its fifth national ranking in as many preseason polls, as the Titans are ranked eighth in Baseball America's preseason poll, 10th in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's, 15th in Perfect Game's poll and 16th in DIBaseball's preseason rankings.
Cal State Fullerton enters 2017 coming off its 25th consecutive trip to the NCAA postseason and is expected to do big things once again this season. The No. 11 placing is tops in the Big West, in front of No. 23 UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach State (RV) and Cal Poly (RV). The ranking is also the second highest on the west coast, just behind No. 7 Oregon State.
Joining Fullerton on the prestigious list are nine opponents the Titans will see this season in No. 15 Arizona, No. 21 Stanford, Houston (RV), Long Beach (RV), Arizona State (RV), UCLA (RV), USC (7), New Mexico (RV) and Cal Poly (RV).
For the Titans, it'll be a good mix of returners and newcomers that should make up a team worthy of its top-10 preseason ranking. Fullerton welcomes back four all-conference performers from a year ago in sophomore Colton Eastman (RHP), senior Timmy Richards (INF), junior Connor Seabold (RHP) and junior John Gavin (LHP). The Titans will also be under the leadership of four-time Big West Coach of the Year Rick Vanderhook, who enters his sixth season as head coach.
Eastman has been named to Collegiate Baseball's All-American Second Team, while Seabold was considered a top-100 MLB Draft prospect by Baseball America.
Fans will get their first opportunity to see the 2017 Titans on Saturday at Goodwin Field, as Fullerton will hold its annual Alumni Game at 2 pm PST.
Titans in the Preseason Polls
Baseball America: No. 8
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper: No. 10
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: No.11
Perfect Game: No. 15
D1Baseball: No. 16
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).