THIS WEEK IN TITAN BASEBALL
Fri., May 3 Long Beach State • Goodwin Field • 7:00 p.m.
Sat., May 4 Long Beach State • Goodwin Field • 8:00 p.m.
Sun., May 5 Long Beach State • Goodwin Field • 1:00 p.m.
CATCH ALL THE ACTION
Television: ESPNU – will broadcast the second game of the series on Saturday against Long Beach State.
Streaming Video: Streaming video will be available at www.FullertonTitans.com courtesy of BigWest.tv for Friday's series opener and Sunday's series finale.
Audio Webcast: www.FullertonTitans.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at www.FullertonTitans.com
TICKETS: Single-game tickets for all home games can be purchased online at www.FullertonTitans.com as well as in person or by calling the Cal State Fullerton Athletics Ticket Office at (657) 278-2783 from the hours of 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. On gamedays, tickets can be purchased one hour prior to first pitch at the Goodwin Field ticket box office.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow @BaseballTitans for daily updates during the 2013 season.
PROMOTIONS: Special treat Titan baseball fans: This weekend, seven former Titan standouts will be on hand signing autographs for all in attendance. The talented group of Titan alumni consists of: Mike Rouse, Felipe Garcia and Jason Windsor on Friday night; Eddie Delzer and Dan Hanggie on Saturday night; and Jeff Robinson and Brent Mayne on Sunday afternoon. Make your plans now to be at Goodwin Field to root on your Titans against the Dirtbags of Long Beach State and take home your very own piece of Titan history in the process!
TITANS IN THE BIG WEST
Cal State Fullerton was picked 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, it was released by the league 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.
Overall, Cal State Fullerton has totaled 26 conference championships dating back to 1975, including 10 in the last 14 years. Overall, Cal State Fullerton has posted a dominant 684-238-2 conference record over 39 seasons.
CURRENT STATUS
Cal State Fullerton sits at the top of the Big West standings with a conference record of 12-3, and the Titans currently have a one-game lead over Cal State Northridge (25-18, 11-4).
CSF vs. LONG BEACH STATE
First Year Played/Last Year Played: 1975/2013
Overall Record: 127-60
Current Streak: Won 4
PCAA/Big West Conference Record: 66-40
SCBA Conference Record: 30-7
Overall Conference (PCAA/Big West and SCBA) Record: 94-46
Big West Conference Tournament Record: 4-2
NCAA Regional Record: 0-1
Overall NCAA Postseason Record: 0-1
Home Record: 63-29
Road Record: 63-30
Neutral Record: 1-1
Longest Winning Streak: 15 games (4/12/85 to 4/10/88)
Longest Losing Streak: 5 games (5/24/02 to 3/28/03)
Extra Innings: 3-3
Most Runs Scored in a Game: 26 runs (5/2/80)
Most Runs Scored in a Game by Opponent: 17 runs, 2 times (last on 5/19/01)
Largest Margin of Victory: 17 runs (3/31/81)
Largest Margin of Defeat: 12 runs, 2 times (last on 5/16/99
LONG BEACH STATE: Long Beach State enters the weekend with a record of .500 (21-21) for the first time since early March. The Dirtbags are currently fourth in the Big West standings, three games back of the Titans. LBSU enters the series on a three-game win streak after taking two-of-three from Cal Poly last weekend and defeating Loyola Marymount on Tuesday.
VERSUS LONG BEACH STATE: Cal State Fullerton holds an all-time record of 127-60 against Long Beach State, including a 63-29 advantage at home. This weekend's series will mark the 46th time the two clubs play a conference series against one another. In those meetings, the Titans have won the series on 30 occasions, including sweeping LBSU 15 times. At home, Fullerton has captured the series win on 10 occasions, while sweeping the 49ers five times.
The Titans have currently won the last two conference series at Goodwin Field in 2009 and 2011. The 49ers have not won a Big West series against Fullerton at Goodwin Field since taking two-of-three in 2007. Fullerton has not lost to LBSU in a Big West series since 2008 in Long Beach.
Earlier this year, the teams squared off in a non-conference series at Blair Field with Fullerton completing the sweep against the Dirtbags. In the series, Fullerton outscored LBSU 16-7.
Last season, J.D. Davis hit a three-run homer in the final game of the regular season at Blair Field to hand Fullerton a 5-1 victory over Long Beach State which clinched the Titans sole possession of the Big West Conference championship and the automatic berth to the NCAA postseason.
A JUMP IN THE RANKINGS: Cal State Fullerton enters the week at No. 4 in the Baseball America Top-25 poll. The Titans have been ranked in the top-10 for nine straight weeks.
OFF TO A HOT START: Currently with a record of 36-7, Fullerton's start is the best for the program since the 1996 squad opened the year 38-5. The NCAA RPI currently rates Fullerton at No. 10 in the country as the Titans boast an 8-2 record against top-25 teams. The closest Big West program to Fullerton's ranking is Cal Poly at No. 37.
NATIONAL RANKINGS: Fullerton's 2.47 ERA leads the Big West and ranks seventh in the country...the pitching staff's mark of 1.54 walks allowed per 9.0 innings leads the country...the Titans' 4.61 strikeout-to-walk ratio also leads the NCAA...Justin Garza's nine wins tie for fifth in the country, and Michael Lorenzen's 13 saves also tie for fifth in the nation...Thomas Eshelman's mark of 5.87 hits allowed per 9.0 innings ranks 18th in the country... Eshelman's 1.41 ERA leads the Big West and ranks 22nd in the country... Eshelman leads the country in walks allowed per 9.0 innings pitched (0.12) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (50.0).
ROOKIE ARMS: Cal State Fullerton's 2.47 ERA tops the Big West Conference and ranks seventh in the nation, and a big part of the pitching staff's success is a pair of freshmen right-handers in the weekend rotation, with Thomas Eshelman getting the nod on Friday nights, followed by Justin Garza (Saturday).
On Feb. 15, 2013, Eshelman (7-2, 1.41) became the first freshman to start a season opener for the Titans since Feb. 5, 1987 when Mark Beck took the mound vs. Saint Mary's. Eshelman didn't disappoint the sellout crowd of 3,508 as CSF edged USC, 3-2, on Feb. 15. In the win, Eshelman allowed two unearned runs on four hits while striking out six in six innings of work.
Currently, Eshelman's ERA of 1.41 tops the Big West Conference, ranks 22nd in the nation, and fifth amongst freshmen in the country this season. In addition, Eshelman leads the country in walks allowed per 9.0 innings pitched (0.12) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (50.0). Eshelman's mark of 5.87 hits allowed per 9.0 innings ranks 18th in the country.
Garza (9-0, 2.37) has picked up wins over Nebraska, TCU, Oregon, Texas A&M, Oral Roberts, Pacific, UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly and Hawai'i during 11 weeks on the mound. In addition, the Titans are undefeated 11-0 when Garza starts. In 76 innings, Garza has surrendered 20 earned runs while fanning 63 - a total that rates fifth in the Big West. Garza was the first Titan freshman since Dylan Floro in 2010 to win five straight starts.
Sophomore Grahamm Wiest (7-2, 2.43, 64 K) solidifies the rotation on Sunday. Wiest's 1.09 walks allowed per 9.0 innings ranks 19th in the country while his 7.11 strikeout-to-walk ratio rates 16th.
THE STREAKS ARE OVER: Thomas Eshelman issued his first walk of the season to Brandon Trinkwon in the top of the sixth vs. UC Santa Barbara on April 12. The walk ended Eshelman's streak at 63 and 1/3 innings without issuing a base on balls. The streak was just shy of the all-time record held by Wes Roemer at 65 and 1/3 innings to start the 2006 season. During Roemer's stretch, he drilled 12 batters, during Eshelman's stretch he plunked only two batters. Roemer also delivered his first walk in his ninth start of the season, in the sixth inning vs. Cal State Northridge on March 31. Eshelman's new streak is currently at 13 and 1/3 innings.
Michael Lorenzen was denied his 13th save of the year after surrendering two runs to UC Santa Barbara in the top of the ninth on April 12. The blown save ended his streak of 16 straight that dated back to May 1, 2012.
AT THE PLATE: Entering the 2013 season, Cal State Fullerton had 15 position players from a year ago returning to the roster, including six starters. That wealth of experience has helped the Titans to its No. 4 ranking and 36-7 record. Fullerton's offense currently leads the Big West or is tied for the lead in the following offensive categories: on-base percentage (.388), runs scored (270), RBIs (241), triples (22), walks (191), and stolen bases (58).
EARLY AND OFTEN: A key ingredient to Fullerton's success has been the club's ability to score early and often. Cal State Fullerton has outscored opponents in 46-7 in the first inning in 2013, and Fullerton has outscored opponents 106-31 in the first three innings of games this year. Fullerton is 26-3 in 2013 when scoring first, and 10-4 when the opponent scores first.
OVER THE FENCES: In 2012, the Titans totaled just 10 home runs. After just 11 weeks in 2013, Fullerton has already surpassed that total, hitting 24 round trippers. Michael Lorenzen leads the Titans with seven home runs followed by Anthony Hutting (4), J.D. Davis (3), Matt Chapman (2), Jake Jefferies (2), Greg Velazquez (2), Austin Kingsolver (1), Carlos Lopez (1), Richy Pedroza (1), and Chad Wallach (1). The Titans have also hit four grand slams in 2013.
GOOD FOR EXTRAS: Entering the week, Michael Lorenzen's 13 saves top the Big West and are tied for fifth in the country.
In 15 appearances this season, Lorenzen has tossed 15 and 1/3 innings, striking out 12 and managing a 2.35 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .189 clip.
In addition, in both of his blown saves this season, Lorenzen has kept the Titans within reach to earn the win in both games.
At the plate, Lorenzen leads Cal State Fullerton or is tied for the lead in several offensive categories; batting average (.346; 7th Big West), slugging percentage (.562; 2nd Big West), hits (56; T-4th Big West), RBIs (40; 1st Big West), doubles (8) home runs (7; T-2nd Big West), and game-winning RBIs (7). His 13-game hitting streak from March 15-April 2 was the longest for any Titan this season, as Fullerton went 12-1 during that stretch while Lorenzen batted .469 with 19 RBIs, three doubles, three home runs and 13 runs scored.
NOTES FROM LAST WEEK: Fullerton completed the month of April with a record of 12-3...Fullerton's 36-7 record is the best for the program since the 1996 squad opened the year with a record of 38-5…Fullerton's 36 wins match last year's total…for the third time this season, Fullerton dropped the first game of its series, and came back to win the final two games to clinch the series at Hawai'i last weekend…the Titans have won 10 weekend series in 2013…Fullerton is 26-3 when scoring first…the Titans shut out an opponent for the ninth time in 2013...at Hawai'i, the Titans shut out an opponent in back-to-back games for the first time since winning back-to-back shutouts (14-0; 7-0) at UC Davis (April 1-2, 2011)…the Rainbows two hits last Sunday match an opponent season low, as the Fullerton pitching staff also held Long Beach State to two hits on March 22…Lorenzen's 29 career saves rank fourth all-time at Fullerton... the Titans have now outscored opponents 46-7 in the first inning this season…Matt Orloff returned to the field as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the seventh at UH on Saturday, making his first appearance for Fullerton since suffering a finger injury at TCU on Feb. 22…Fullerton has recorded double-digit hits in 19 games this season, including eight times in Big West action…J.D. Davis' five hits at Hawai'i on Saturday were the most for a Titan since Gary Brown at UC Santa Barbara on April 17, 2010.
Vanderhook Signs Five-Year Contract Extension: Second-year Cal State Fullerton head baseball coach Rick Vanderhook signed a five-year contract extension through the 2018 season, it was announced by Athletic Director Jim Donovan on April 15.
"I am privileged and grateful to continue as the head coach at Cal State Fullerton," Vanderhook said. "The coaching staff and our student-athletes work each and every day to continue the tradition of hard-nosed Titan baseball. We believe that this effort will result in the prolonged success of our program that our students, campus, community and fans deserve and have come to expect."
During the 2012 campaign, Vanderhook didn't miss a beat, taking the Titans to the Big West Conference championship, a top-20 national ranking for the majority of the season, and the Titans' 21st consecutive NCAA appearance. His rookie year also resulted in his first conference coach of the year award.
VOTE4CARLOS: Cal State Fullerton senior first baseman Carlos Lopez was selected as one of 10 NCAA baseball student-athletes who excel both on and off the field for the 2013 Senior CLASS Award, it was announced on April 24.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 30 candidates announced in February. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2013 NCAA College World Series® in Omaha June 15-26.
Lorenzen Named to John Olerud Award Watch List: Michael Lorenzen was one of 25 collegiate baseball players named to the 2013 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award watch list, it was announced by the College Baseball Hall of Fame on April 26. The Olerud Award, presented on June 29 in Lubbock, Texas, as part of the College Baseball Hall of Fame's annual Night of Champions, recognizes baseball players who excel both on the mound and in the field.
STOPPER WATCH LIST: Cal State Fullerton closer Michael Lorenzen was one of 51 collegiate relief pitchers chosen to the National College Baseball Writers Association Mid-Season Stopper of the Year Watch List, it was announced on April 23.
The NCBWA's All-America Committee will select the winner, with this year's recipient to be announced during the 2013 College World Series.
Lorenzen and Eshelman Named to Pitcher of the Year Watch List:
Cal State Fullerton Friday-night starter Thomas Eshelman and closer Michael Lorenzen were both named to the College Baseball Hall of Fame 2013 Pitcher of the Year Watch List, it was announced on Saturday.
The initial watch list for the 2013 Pitcher of the Year Award, sponsored by Diamond Sports and presented during the College Baseball Hall of Fame's Night of Champions on June 29, features 41 players from across the country.
The Big West Conference has three pitchers on the watch list with the addition of Andrew Morales of UC Irvine.
NICK HURTADO: The Cal State Fullerton baseball program is mourning the loss of teammate Nick Hurtado, who passed away at the age of 21 after a battle with cancer on March 1.
Hurtado, a 2010 graduate of Corona Santiago High School in Corona, Calif., committed the Titans as a senior in the fall of 2009, before his battle with bone cancer began.
Hurtado was a four-year letterwinner for head coach Ty DeTrinidad and the Sharks. Before his senior season began, Hurtado was diagnosed with cancer after being hit by a ball in the knee during the preseason. On March 5, 2010, he made his only appearance of his senior season at Corona Santiago, tossing one pitch (a strike) in the opening game of the 2010 season just days before his treatment was to begin.
The pitcher was finally able to join the Titans for the 2012 season, but sat out the year as his treatment and recovery continued. Due to his illness, he was unable to join the roster in 2013, but made the effort to connect with his teammates at Goodwin Field as often as possible.
Statement from the 2013 Titans
"The world lost and amazing person last night. We will forever remember his genuine love for the people around him, and for life itself. He was the ultimate friend, and we hope we can grow, and be half the person he was. He touched the lives of so many people with his compassion and unyielding positive attitude. He will be in our hearts every single day."
PICKED TO WIN IT: Cal State Fullerton was picked 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, it was released by the league on Jan. 31.
The Titans were voted to defend their Big West title as the program garnered nine of the 10 available first-place votes.
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.
TITANS AND THE BIG WEST: 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.
Overall, Cal State Fullerton has posted a dominant 682-237-2 conference record over 39 seasons. Rick Vanderhook, the school's fifth Div. I head coach, won his first Big West crown in 2012, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, Augie Garrido (14 conference championships), Larry Cochell (1), George Horton (7) and Dave Serrano (3).
A further breakdown has the Titans winning three PCAA conference championships (1975-76, 1987), eight straight SCBA titles (1977-84) and 15 while playing under the Big West name (1990-91, 94-95, 1997, 1999-2001, 2004-06, 2008, 2010-12). The Big West absorbed the PCAA records in 1990 upon its formation, giving the Titans 18 total Big West championships and a 499-189 (.725; 30 years) PCAA/Big West Conference record.
LORENZEN PRESEASON HONORS: Michael Lorenzen returned to the diamond after an All-American season in 2012. Lorenzen 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. He was also selected to the 2013 Baseball America Preseason All-America second team.
HOME GROWN: Thirty-four men on the Titans' 35-man roster list their hometown within the great State of California. The lone Titan not from the Golden State comes from, where else? Nebraska. Sophomore southpaw Tyler Peitzmeier is from Yutan, Neb., a city about 25 miles east of the Mecca of college baseball, Omaha.
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE: In 2013, the Titans will play seven opponents that advanced to the 2012 Division I Baseball tournament (Oral Roberts, Pepperdine, Texas A&M, San Diego) three opponents that advanced to the super regionals (Oregon, TCU) and one opponent that advanced to the College World Series (UCLA)…CSF will play four opponents that finished 2012 ranked in Baseball America's Top-25 (No. 5 UCLA, No. 11 Oregon, No. 16 TCU, No. 19 Texas A&M)…six of Fullerton's opponents were ranked in the top-50 of the NCAA's final top-50 2012 RPI ratings (No. 1 UCLA, No. 6 Oregon, No. 16 Texas A&M, No. 29 Pepperdine, No. 31 TCU, No. 36 San Diego )...four of CSF's opponents were also conference champions in 2012: Pepperdine (West Coast), TCU (co-Mountain West), Oral Roberts (Summit), UCLA (Pac-12).
CONTINUED EXCELLENCE: The Titans have won 30-plus games in each of its 39 seasons at the Div. I level and are tied for third in the nation when it comes to most consecutive 30-win campaigns. The only Titan team to win as few as 30 games was the 1989 squad skippered by Larry Cochell. The Titans have never had a losing season at the Div. I level. Fullerton comes in tied for third with Clemson and behind Arizona State and Miami. Pepperdine, which was ranked No. 5, saw its 32-year streak ended in 2010.
Consecutive 30+ win seasons (active)
1. Arizona State 50
2. Miami, Fla. 42
3. Cal State Fullerton 39 (includes 2013)
Clemson 39 (includes 2013)
THE ROOKIES: Cal State Fullerton's 2012 class was ranked the No. 23 recruiting class in the nation, according to Baseball America's annual evaluation.
Under second-year head coach Rick Vanderhook and recruiting coordinator Mike Kirby, the Titans have welcomed 13 freshmen to Goodwin Field. Fullerton's 2012 class ranks second amongst Big West Conference opponents as the Gauchos were ranked 12th with 23 newcomers including 19 freshmen and four junior college transfers. The Titans and Gauchos were the only BWC programs to make the top 25.
DRAFT DODGERS: Nine Titans on the current roster have been selected previously in the MLB First-Year Players draft. Carlos Lopez is the only Titan that has been drafted while at Fullerton. He was selected as a redshirt his sophomore year (based on his age), but declined the offer made by the Detroit Tigers in 2010.
TITANS IN THE DRAFT (by round):
J.D. Davis 2011 5th round Tampa Bay Rays
Michael Lorenzen 2010 7th round Tampa Bay Rays
Austin Diemer 2011 26th round Cleveland Indians
Justin Garza 2012 26th round Cleveland Indians
Jake Jefferies 2012 34th round Washington Nationals
Carlos Lopez 2010 37th round Detroit Tigers
Anthony Hutting 2009 38th round Texas Rangers
David Olmedo-Barrera 2012 40th round Oakland Athletics
Chad Wallach 2010 43rd round Los Angeles Dodgers
TOP 50 FRESHMAN: Ontario, Calif., native Justin Garza was ranked ninth by Baseball America in the publication's evaluation of the top 50 freshmen in college baseball released in early February.
TOP 50 SOPHOMORES: Matt Chapman, 2012 Big West Freshman of the Year, was ranked 18th by Baseball America in the publication's evaluation of the top 50 sophomores in college baseball released in early February. Chapman was also rated by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Big West Conference for the 2014 MLB Draft. J.D. Davis was considered the fifth-best prospect in the Big West for the 2014 draft.
TOP 50 JUNIORS: All-American Michael Lorenzen was ranked 19th by Baseball America in the publication's evaluation of the top 50 juniors in college baseball released in early February. Lorenzen was also rated by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Big West Conference for the 2013 draft.
TOP 50 SENIORS: Senior shortstop Richy Pedroza was ranked 45th by Baseball America in the publication's evaluation of the top 50 seniors in college baseball released in early February. Pedroza led the Titans batting .324 in 2012.
FAMILY AFFAIR: The Titans have six players on the 2013 roster that have had family members play for Fullerton in the past:
• Outfielder Anthony Hutting is the cousin of former Titan star and major league outfielder Aaron Rowand (.345, 23 HR, 121 RBI from 1996-98).
• Infielder Richy Pedroza's older brother, Sergio, was a national champion outfielder for the Titans (.328, 27 HR, 121 RBI from 2003-05).
• Outfielder Austin Kingsolver's father, Kurt, was a national champion catcher in 1979 (.291, 5 HR, 30 RBI in 1979) and was a teammate of College Baseball Hall of Famer Tim Wallach.
• Catcher Chad Wallach's father, Tim Wallach (.392, 39 HR, 182 RBI), was a national champion, a Golden Spikes Award winner, and a first-round draft pick in 1979. Chad's older brother, and Tim's eldest son, Matt, was also a Titan in 2005 (.255, 5 HR, 28 RBI in 2007) and played first base like his father. Tim is currently entering his third year as the third base coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Pitcher Dave Birosak's brother, Dustin (0-0, 2.89 ERA), was a relief pitcher for the 2007 Titans.
• And to top it all off… Head Coach Rick Vanderhook has had two nephews, Russ (.500, 0 HR, 0 RBI in 1999) and Cory (.304, 1 HR, 17 RBI in 2006) play in a Titan uniform. Coach Vanderhook, himself, was a player in 1983 and 1984. Cory is currently serving as an administrative assistant.
• Freshman right-hander Joe Navilhon's father (Larry) played at Cal State Fullerton from 1979-1980.
• First baseman Carlos Lopez and right-handed pitcher Michael Lopez are of no relation.
TITANS IN THE BIG LEAGUES: The Titans have had 53 former players make their major leagues debuts since their first products, Dan Whitmer and Tim Wallach, got there in 1980. Most recently, Khris Davis made his debut for Milwaukee on Monday. Erik Komatsu got the call in 2012, taking last year's totals to nine: David Cooper (Toronto), Reed Johnson (Chicago Cubs/Atlanta), Erik Komatsu (St. Louis/Minnesota), Mark Kotsay (San Diego), Brett Pill (San Francisco), Kurt Suzuki (Oakland/Washington), Justin Turner (New York Mets), Vinnie Pestano (Cleveland) and Ricky Romero (Toronto). For the second consecutive year, Romero was named one of 30 nominees for the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award as announced by Major League Baseball. Pestano was named this year's recipient of the Bob Feller Man of the Year Award, as announced by the Cleveland chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The distinction is bestowed upon the organization's player or executive who consistently performs at the top of his game.