COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – With the 2013 season just a week away, Michael Lorenzen was one of 75 players named to the initial watch list for the ninth annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.
The junior outfielder and closer returns to the diamond after an All-American season in 2012. Lorenzen has 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. Most recently, he was selected to the 2013 Baseball America Preseason All-America second team.
Lorenzen, who garnered All-American honors as well as Big West Conference First Team accolades in 2012, developed into one of the nation's top two-way players, starting 57 games in centerfield while making 20 appearances on the mound.
After a successful sophomore campaign in 2012, Lorenzen spent the summer with the U.S. Collegiate National Team, playing in 14 games.
For Cal State Fullerton, Lorenzen did not allow a run in 18 of his 20 appearances. He garnered double first-team All-Big West Conference honors as a utility player on offense, and as a closer on the pitching staff. His 16 saves in 17 chances tied him for second in program history with Nick Ramirez (2011) behind only Scott Wright's school record of 22 saves in 1984.
In addition, Lorenzen posted a 2-0 record with a 1.23 ERA in 22 innings pitched while striking out 17 batters.
He finished the season with a .297 batting average, third on the team, and led the squad with 38 runs, 20 doubles, 101 total bases, a .435 slugging percentage, 69 hits (tie), three triples (tie), 43 RBIs, 10 multiple-RBI games and 14 stolen bases.
Lorenzen was one of two players from the Big West Conference named to the list as UC Irvine's Race Parmenter also made the watch list.
Cal State Fullerton was selected 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 released 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. 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.
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.
Entering the 2013 season, the Titans have been ranked in the top-25 of several national polls including: Baseball America (22), USA Today Coaches (22), Collegiate Baseball (23), and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (23).
The Titans open the 2013 season at Goodwin Field vs. USC on Friday, Feb. 15. The Titans will continue opening weekend at home with a doubleheader against Nebraska on Saturday, Feb. 16, before traveling to CSU Bakersfield to close out the weekend on Sunday, Feb. 17.
Before the season begins, the Titans will host the Alumni Game with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday at Goodwin Field. Admission is free of charge.
For ticket information, please check out the ticket link at fullertontitans.com, or call the Athletic Ticket office at (657) 278-CSUF.