DALLAS --- The Titans find themselves ranked in their sixth preseason poll of 2017, as Cal State Fullerton was placed at No. 14 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association preseason rankings, the organization announced on Tuesday.
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. 14 placing is tops in the Big West, in front of No. 21 UC Santa Barbara and No. 28 Long Beach State. The ranking is also the second highest on the west coast, just behind No. 7 Oregon State. The Big West has three schools ranked on the list, which is tied with the Big 12 and American Athletic Conference for the fourth most in the nation.
Joining Fullerton on the prestigious list are 13 opponents the Titans will see this season in No. 16 Arizona, No. 23 Stanford, No. 21 UCSB, No. 28 LBSU, No. 34 Houston, No. 35 Arizona State, Gonzaga (RV), USC (RV), UCLA (RV), UC Irvine (RV), Cal Poly (RV), New Mexico (RV) and San Diego (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 and NCBWA's All-American Second Team, while Seabold was considered a top-100 MLB Draft prospect by Baseball America.
Make sure to check out your 2017 Titans, as Fullerton opens the regular season, Friday, Feb. 17 vs. Stanford at Goodwin Field. First pitch is slated for 7 pm PT.
Titans in the Preseason Polls
Baseball America: No. 8
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper: No. 10
USA TODAY Coaches Poll: No.11
NCBWA Poll: No. 14
Perfect Game: No. 15
D1Baseball: No. 16
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).