RECAPPING 2013
• Cal State Fullerton finished the 2013 season with a record of 51-10 (.836), the second-best winning percentage in program history, trailing only the national championship squad from 1995 (57-9, .864)...the Titans' 51 victories tied for fourth in program history, and marked the most wins for Cal State Fullerton since 1995 (57).
• Fullerton's 23 Big West wins were the most for a Big West team since Cal State Fullerton finished Big West play 25-5 in 1999…the Titans' .851 Big West winning percentage was the best for a Big West team since UC Irvine (22-2, .917) in 2009…the .851 league winning percentage was also the best for Fullerton since 2010 (21-3, .875).
• The Titans finished the regular season (48-8) with single-digit losses for the second time since 1975, after the 1995 squad ended the regular season with a mark of 46-9…Fullerton swept eight weekend series in 2013, the most three-game series sweeps since the Titans swept nine series in 2006… Cal State Fullerton won 14 three-game weekend series in 2013, the 2013 Titan squad is the first since 1995 to win each of its three-game weekend series during the regular season.
• The Titans finished the 2013 season with a record of 13-7 against teams that advanced to the 2013 NCAA Baseball Championships: Arizona State (2-0), Cal Poly (2-1) Columbia (1-0), Oregon (2-1), San Diego (0-1), Texas A&M (2-1), UCLA (2-2) and UC Santa Barbara (2-1).
MORE NUMBERS
• Cal State Fullerton's pitching staff set several new records for the program including ERA (2.47), fewest runs per nine innings pitched (2.97), fewest walks per nine innings pitched (1.41), shutouts (11) and fewest walks (86). In addition, the staff's 27 saves rank second all-time and the staff's mark of 7.59 hits allowed per nine innings pitched also ranks second in Fullerton program history.
• During the 2013 season, Cal State Fullerton put together four 10-game win streaks, and dropped back-to-back games on only two occasions (March 3 & 5 and June 7 & 8).
THE POSTSEASON
• On June 8, UCLA's Nick Vander Tuig delivered an impressive performance and the Bruins took advantage of two first-inning Fullerton errors to defeat the Titans, 3-0, and advance to the College World Series. The Bruins went on finish the 2013 postseason undefeated and claim the College World Series title.
• Fullerton was eliminated by UCLA for the second straight time in a Super Regional, as the Titans lost in three games back in 2010 at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles. With this year's loss, the Titans missed out on the College World Series for the fourth consecutive season, which is the first time Fullerton has gone more than three seasons without advancing to Omaha, breaking what was the longest such streak in Fullerton's Division I baseball history dating back to 1975.
POSTSEASON HISTORY
• The Titans all-time postseason record is 144-76 and 16-10 in Super Regional play…after winning the Fullerton Regional (May 31-June 2) Cal State Fullerton advanced to its 11th Super Regional in 15 years, dating back to 1999 when Super Regional play began.
• Dating back to 1999, Fullerton finished a regional 3-0 for the sixth time after defeating Columbia (May 31) and Arizona State (June 1-2)....the Titans also advanced to their ninth super regional after winning a regional at Goodwin Field.
• Fullerton made its first Super Regional appearance since 2010, and the Titans once again played UCLA...Cal State Fullerton and UCLA met for the third time in Super Regional play, and the Titans played an opponent from the Pac-12 in Super Regional play for the sixth time.
• The Titans now hold a 7-6 edge over UCLA in the postseason, but the Bruins hold a 4-3 edge in Super Regional play.
• The Titans finished 2013 with a record of 9-3 against the Pac-12 Conference in 2013.
• Fullerton has won six of nine best of-three Super Regional series played at Goodwin Field.
NATIONAL SEED HISTORY
The Titans' No. 5 national seed was the club's eighth seed since the Super Regional Era began in 1999. Fullerton received a national seed for the first time since 2009, when the Titans were placed at No. 2 in the bracket and advanced to the College World Series.The Titans previously received national seeds in 1999 (3), 2001 (1), 2003 (7), 2005 (6), 2006 (5), 2008 (5) and 2009 (2). When receiving a national seed, Fullerton advanced to the College World Series on five of those eight occasions.In 2013, three of the national seeds advanced to the College World Series: North Carolina (1), Oregon State (3), and LSU (4).
POSTSEASON AT GOODWIN
When the Titans have hosted a regional, they have advanced to the College World Series on five occasions (2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009).The Titans also boast a record of 34-9 during Regional play at Goodwin Field.Fullerton boasts a Super Regional record of 13-7 at Goodwin Field, and when hosting a Super Regional in Fullerton, the Titans have advanced to the College World Series on six of nine possible occasions.
BIG WEST RECAP
Overall, Cal State Fullerton has posted a dominant 695-239-1 conference record over 39 seasons. Rick Vanderhook, the school's fifth Div. I head coach, won his second Big West crown this season, 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 16 while playing under the Big West name (1990-91, 94-95, 1997, 1999-2001, 2004-06, 2008, 2010-13). The Big West absorbed the PCAA records in 1990 upon its formation, giving the Titans 19 total Big West championships and a 519-193 (.729; 31 years) PCAA/Big West Conference record.
RANKINGS
The Titans finished the 2013 season with a No. 10 ranking in four national polls, and sixth in the final NCAA RPI rankings released on July 9.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Cal State Fullerton led the country with 26 wins on the road.
LOPEZ WINS 2013 SENIOR CLASS AWARD
The 2013 Big West Conference Co-Player of the Year Carlos Lopez of Cal State Fullerton was selected as the 2013 Senior CLASS Award winner in NCAA® Division I baseball.The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I baseball coaches, national baseball media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I baseball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, community, character and competition.
STARTING STAFF
Cal State Fullerton's 2.47 ERA topped the Big West Conference and ranked fourth in the nation. The weekend trio of Thomas Eshelman (Friday), Justin Garza (Saturday) and Grahamm Wiest (Sunday), combined for 50 starts, 335 and 1/3 innings pitched, 254 strikeouts while managing a 2.22 ERA.
THOMAS ESHELMAN
During his rookie season, Thomas Eshelman received seven All-American nods (Baseball America First Team, Louisville Slugger First Team, NCBWA Second Team, ABCA Rawlings Second Team, Baseball America All-Freshman First Team, Louisville Slugger Freshman, NCBWA Freshman) and three freshman pitcher of the year honors (Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA and Big West). In addition, Eshelman was a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award.
• Fullerton's ace set Titan freshman records for innings pitched (115.2) and ERA (1.48), while the 1.48 mark also ranks second in Cal State Fullerton all-time single-season history.
• Eshelman struck out 83 batters and walked just three, a 27.7 strikeout-to-walk ratio that also set a new single-season record at Cal State Fullerton, previously held by Wes Roemer (20.7; 2006). That wasn't the only Cal State Fullerton record Eshelman took from Roemer, as the rookie's mark of fewest walks per nine innings (0.23) also topped Roemer's mark of 0.41 in 2006 and set the new NCAA benchmark.
• In his first season for Cal State Fullerton, Eshelman, the Titans' Friday-night starter, posted a record of 12-3 in 16 starts (17 appearances) and his miniscule 1.48 ERA led the Big West, while ranking 10th in the country. Among, rookie weekend starters, Eshelman's ERA ranked second in the nation.
• Eshelman's 12 wins tie teammate Justin Garza for the Fullerton freshman record.
• Eshelman led the nation in walks allowed per nine innings (0.23), strikeout-to-walk-ratio (27.67)and WHIP (0.77). Eshelman has also totaled 13 quality starts in 2013.
• On Feb. 15, 2013, Eshelman 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.
JUSTIN GARZA
Like Eshelman, Justin Garza received seven All-American nods (ABCA/Rawlings Second Team, Baseball America Second Team, Louisville Slugger Second Team, NCBWA Second Team, Baseball America Freshman All-America First Team, Louisville Slugger Freshman, NCBWA Freshman) during his sensational rookie season, and he was also named the 2013 Big West Pitcher of the Year. The native of Ontario, Calif., was also named one of 10 semifinalists for the College Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher of the Year Award.
• Garza was voted the MVP of the Fullerton Regional.
• Garza's 1.000 (12-0) winning percentage not only set the Fullerton freshman record, but he is one of just four pitchers in Cal State Fullerton history with at least 12 wins and no losses following Tim Dixon (13-0, 1995), Matt Sorenson (12-0, 1999), and Benito Flores (12-0, 1998).
• Garza and Eshelman's 12 wins tie for the Fullerton freshman record.
• The Titans held a record of 16-1 in Garza's 17 starts, with the loss serving as the Super Regional opener to UCLA.
• In 115 innings pitched, Garza tallied a 2.03 ERA while striking out a team-leading 95 batters.
• Garza earned Big West Pitcher of the Week honors on March 11 following an impressive outing versus Texas A&M.
GRAHAMM WIEST
Sophomore Grahamm Wiest (9-3, 3.27, 76 K's) solidified the rotation. Wiest's 1.12 walks allowed per nine innings ranked 13th in the country and his 5.85 strikeout-to-walk ratio rated 21st.
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. Michael Lorenzen was denied a save 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 helped the Titans to a Super Regional appearance and 51-10 record. Fullerton's offense led the Big West in the following categories: batting average (.285), slugging percentage (.403), on-base percentage (.384), runs scored (370), hits (584), RBIs (339), triples (24), home runs (35) and walks (262).
EARLY AND OFTEN
A key ingredient to Fullerton's success was the club's ability to score early and often. Cal State Fullerton outscored opponents in 65-18 in the first inning in 2013, and Fullerton outscored opponents 145-49 in the first three innings of games. Fullerton was 36-3 in 2013 when scoring first, and 15-7 when the opponent scored first.
OVER THE FENCES
In 2012, the Titans totaled just 10 home runs. In 2013, Fullerton more than tripled that total, hitting 35 round trippers. Michael Lorenzen led the Titans with seven home runs. The Titans also hit four grand slams in 2013.
FROM CENTER FIELD TO THE MOUND
• Junior Michael Lorenzen was selected as the overall 38th pick in the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Cincinnati Reds.
• Lorenzen was one of three finalists for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, a Gold Spikes Award semifinalist and a finalist for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award.
• Lorenzen was named an All-American by four different publications: ABCA/Rawlings First Team, Baseball America First Team, Louisville Slugger First Team and NCBWA First Team.
• The native of Anaheim, Calif., was a Big West Conference first team selection.
• On the hill, Lorenzen totaled 35 saves in just two years on the mound, breaking the all-time Fullerton record.
• Lorenzen finished the 2013 campaign 19-for-22 in save attempts, but in three blown save opportunities, kept the Titans within reach to record the win (3-0).
• In 22 appearances in 2013, Lorenzen tossed 22 and 2/3 innings, striking out 20 and managing a 1.99 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .205 clip.
• At the plate, Lorenzen hit .335 with a Big West-leading 54 RBIs while managing a .515 slugging percentage, with 40 runs scored, 76 hits, 12 doubles, four triples and a team-leading seven home runs. Lorenzen totaled 21 multiple-hit games and 12 multiple-RBI games.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
• Feb 15: Thomas Eshelman was the first Titan freshman since 1987 to start a season opener for Cal State Fullerton, and he didn't disappoint the sellout crowd of 3,508 as CSF edged USC, 3-2, on Feb. 15 at Goodwin Field.In the win, Eshelman (1-0) allowed two unearned runs on four hits while striking out six in six innings of work.
• Feb. 17: J.D. Davis hit two home runs - including the first of four Titan grand slams in 2013 - as Fullerton defeated CSU Bakersfield, 8-2, on Feb. 17. Davis was the only Titan to hit multiple home runs in a single game in 2013.
• Feb. 23: In just the second start of his career, freshman Jake Jefferies launched a one-out, full-count grand slam over the fence in right field to help the Titans to a 6-2 series clinching win at TCU on Feb. 23.
• March 1: Anthony Hutting recorded an inside the park home run in an 8-2 victory over Oregon on March 1, 2013.
• March 19: Cal State Fullerton won four games at Goodwin Field by way of walk-off, and the first was on March 19 as Jared Deacon was issued ball four with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 11th in an 8-7 win over Nebraska.
• March 24: Long Beach State appeared to tie the game as Michael Hill scored from third on Eric Hutting's sacrifice fly, but the Titans appealed, and in a wild finish, Hill was ruled out for leaving third base early, ending the game in Fullerton's favor, 2-1, as the Titans completed the non-conference sweep at Blair Field.
• March 29: Jake Jefferies hit for the cycle and drove in seven runs as Cal State Fullerton defeated Pacific 11-6 at Goodwin Field to clinch the series.March 30: Fullerton recorded its most runs (25), hits (25) and largest margin of victory (25) during the 2013 season in a 25-0 shutout of Pacific to complete a series sweep on March 30. Michael Lorenzen's grand slam in the first was the third grand slam for Fullerton in 2013.
• April 9: In a 6-4 victory over USC, J.D. Davis hit the Titans fourth grand slam of the season. In addition, Michael Lorenzen followed Davis with a solo home run, marking the second and final time Fullerton hits back-to-back home runs in 2013.
• April 12: Richy Pedroza's walk-off sacrifice fly scored Matt Chapman as Fullerton had to come from behind twice to edge UC Santa Barbara, 4-3. Thomas Eshelman tossed eight innings of one-run baseball for Fullerton, but in the sixth, he walked his first batter of the season, a streak of 63 and 1/3 innings that fell just short of the Titan's all-time record.
• April 14: Cal State Fullerton was shut out for the first time in 2013 in a 2-0 loss to the Gauchos at Goodwin Field.
• May 11: The Titans hit a season-best three home runs in a 12-0 win at UC Riverside.
• May 18: One swing of the bat from Carlos Lopez, and Cal State Fullerton left UC Irvine on the field with a two-out, walk-off solo home run in a 3-2 series-clinching victory at Goodwin.
• May 19: For the second day in a row, Carlos Lopez was the hero for Cal State Fullerton, launching his second walk-off home run of the weekend over the right field wall as the Titans completed the sweep of UC Irvine in a 7-5 victory. The Titans won their 27th conference championship in 39 years, including their fourth consecutive Big West title. The championship also clinched the Titans the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Fullerton finished the year with four walk-off wins at Goodwin Field.
OFF THE DIAMOND
Cal State Fullerton senior Carlos Lopez was named to the 2013 Capital One Academic All-American third team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America, it was announced on May 31. Lopez is just the second student-athlete in the history of the Cal State Fullerton baseball program, to earn Capital One Academic All-America honors, following three-time honoree Jon Smith (1999-01).
• Senior Carlos Lopez and sophomore Austin Diemer were named to the 2013 Capital One Academic All-District VIII First Team on May 3, and both Diemer and Lopez were named to the Big West Spring All-Academic Team on June 28.
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."In two years, Vanderhook has made two NCAA Tournament appearances, won two Big West Conference championships, been voted the Big West Coach of the Year twice while totaling an 87-29 record.
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."
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 played 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 played 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.
Consecutive 30+ win seasons (active)
1. Arizona State 51 (includes 2013)
2. Miami, Fla. 43 (includes 2013)
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.
TOP 50 FRESHMEN
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:
• The fathers of Joe Navilhon (Larry Navilhon), Austin Kingsolver (Kurt Kingsolver) and Chad Wallach (Tim Wallach) each played on the 1979 national championship team from Cal State Fullerton.
• 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 April 1. 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).