The 2016 baseball season officially gets underway Friday, Feb. 19 as the No. 22 Titans head up to Palo Alto to take on Stanford in the first three-game series of the season. The Titans will then return to face the NC Dinos of the Korean Baseball Organization on Tuesday for an exhibition game at Goodwin Field.
CATCH ALL THE ACTION:
Fans can follow the action from the Sunken Diamond this weekend with live stats and a live video stream provided by Stanford. Links to the stats and stream will be available on FullertonTitans.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Follow @BaseballTitans on Twitter for daily updates during the 2016 season. Fullerton baseball is also on Instagram, so make sure to follow the 2016 team all season @CSF_TitansBaseball.
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS:
FRIDAY
CSF - RHP, Blake Quinn (2015: 0-0, 0.00 ERA) at Stanford - RHP, Tristan Beck (Freshman)
SATURDAY
CSF - LHP, John Gavin (2015: 7-3, 3.66 ERA) at Stanford - LHP, Chris Castellanos (2015: 2-3, 3.44 ERA)
SUNDAY
CSF -RHP, Colton Eastman (Freshman) at Stanford - TBA
SEASON OPENERS:
Cal State Fullerton is 22-19 all-time in season openers at the NCAA Division I level and are 4-13 when those openers come on the road. The Titans will open on the road for the second straight season in 2016. Last year, Fullerton dropped a 2-1 decision to South Florida at the Opening Weekend Challenge at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla. The Titans last road win on opening day came in 2008 when Fullerton upended Texas Christian, 11-5.
2016 SEASON OUTLOOK:
The Titans return 20 players from the 2015 squad that finished the year with a 39-25 record. The majority of the starting defensive lineup returns with Scott Hurst returning after suffering a back injury midway through the 2015 season that sidelined him for the last 23 games of the season. Blake Quinn, who sat out the 2015 season after transferring to Fullerton from Fresno State, is a new addition to the pitching rotation that includes sophomores John Gavin and Connor Seabold along with freshman Colton Eastman.
RECAPPING 2015
• Cal State Fullerton finished the 2015 season with a record of 39-25 (.609), securing the 41st consecutive winning season in program history. It was also the 41st straight year the Titans won at least 30 games in a season.
• In his fourth season at the helm, head coach Rick Vanderhook led the Titans to their 20th Big West Conference title and 28th conference title overall. It was also the program's fifth conference crown in the last six seasons and the third title in four seasons under Vanderhook. He now holds a 160-80 overall record in four seasons as the Titans head coach.
CAL STATE OMAHA
• The Titans made their 17th trip to the NCAA College World Series, ending a five-year drought. The Titans absence from Omaha since 2009 was the longest in the program's history. It was also Fullerton's first trip to T.D. Ameritrade Park after 16 previous trips to Rosenblatt Stadium.
NUMBERS GAME
• The Cal State Fullerton pitching staff continued to shine in 2015, posting a cumulative 2.89 ERA in 582.0 innings pitched. It was the 11th best ERA in the nation and the ninth best mark in the program's history. It was the third straight season the pitching staff posted a top-10 mark in the Fullerton history books. The Titans set a new program record with a 2.24 ERA in 2014.
• The Titans once again led the nation in walks allowed per nine innings, allowing 1.70 free passes per nine. It also ranked as the third best mark in the program's history.
• Fullerton led the nation with a 4.96 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a full point higher than second-place Texas Christian. The pitching staff's 546 total strikeouts were also the second most by a Fullerton pitching staff in program history, 31 punch outs shy of the 1984 team's record of 577.
• The Titans tossed nine shutouts in 2015, the fourth most in the country, five behind Vanderbilt's nation-leading 14 shutouts. The nine shutouts also tied the second most by a Titans squad, deadlocked with the 2004 and 2014 teams. The 2013 squad set the record with 11 shutouts. In the past three seasons, the Titans have pitched 29 shutouts.
POLL POSITION:
The Titans enter the 2016 season ranked in the top-25 of all five major baseball rankings. They topped out with a No. 12 ranking from Collegiate Baseball and are ranked 16th by both USA Today Coaches Poll and the NCBWA, 21st by D1Baseball.com and 22nd by Baseball America.
INJURY REPORT:
Infielders Taylor Bryant (hand) and Timmy Richards (quad) will not play this weekend at Stanford due to their injuries.
CSF vs. STANFORD • ALL-TIME SERIES
First Year Played/Last Year Played: 1979/2015
Overall Record 43-56
Current Streak Lost 1
NCAA Regional Record 1-2
NCAA Super Regional Record 0-2
NCAA College World Series Record 3-7
Overall NCAA Postseason Record 4-11
Home Record 29-22
Road Record 11-27
Neutral Record 3-7
Longest Winning Streak 4 games, 2 times (last from 2/27/09 to
6/5/10)
Longest Losing Streak 8 games (2/12/89 to 2/8/92)
Extra Innings 2-5
Most Runs Scored in a Game 13 runs (1/31/85)
Most Runs Scored in a Game by Opponent 17 runs (2/2/02)
Largest Margin of Victory 10 runs (1/28/94)
Largest Margin of Defeat 16 runs (2/2/02)
STANFORD NOTES:
The Titans and Cardinal will face off in a three-game set for the second straight season after a three-year hiatus from the longtime rivalry. The Titans have played Stanford more than any other PAC-12 program in history and will meet for the 100th time on Friday. The Titans have struggled mightily in Palo Alto, going 11-27 all-time at the Sunken Diamond. In fact, Fullerton has dropped its last 10 games at Stanford with the Titans last victory in Palo Alto coming on Feb. 3, 2002; a 6-3 victory over the No. 1 Cardinal in the last game of a three-game set. The Titans have not won a series at Stanford since 1994, when the Titans took two of three games from the Cardinal from Jan. 28-30.
Other Cardinal Notes:
- The Stanford Cardinal were picked to finish seventh in the PAC-12 according to a vote by all 11 coaches in the conference. The Cardinal received 49 points overall, finishing one point behind Arizona State and 15 ahead of Washington.
- Stanford, which finished 10th in the Pac-12 last season at 24-32 overall and 9-21 in conference play, returns six everyday starters and nearly all of its pitching. Offensively, the Cardinal will have more than 75 percent of its at-bats, runs, hits, home runs, RBI and extra-base hits back for 2016. The pitching staff returns more than 70 percent of its starts, wins, innings pitched and strikeouts as well as Cal Quantrill and John Hochstatter, who each missed the majority of last season.
-More than half of Stanford's home schedule features 2015 NCAA tournament teams, including 2015 national runner-up Vanderbilt, Cal State Fullerton, and Pac-12 rivals Cal and USC. In all, the Cardinal will play 27 games against teams currently ranked in the Top 25.
-Juniors Cal Quantrill and Tommy Edman were each named third-team All-Americans by Baseball America.
-Quantrill, who is not expected back until at least April due to Tommy John surgery, was also named to the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List on Feb. 16.
VERSUS THE PAC-12:
The Titans currently hold a 287-213-3 mark against teams from the Pacific-12 conference, with their most victories (65) coming against UCLA in 97 games. The Titans have also played Arizona 97 times, holding a 63-34 record. Fullerton has played Stanford on 99 (43-56) occasions and is one of just three teams in the conference to hold a winning record over the Titans all-time along with Arizona State (27-30) and Washington State (5-7).
PICKED TO WIN IT:
Cal State Fullerton was selected as the favorite to win the 2016 Big West titles as selected by the nine conference head coaches in the Big West Preseason Coaches Poll. The Titans received four first-place votes and 71 points overall. UC Irvine received one first-place vote and 65 points. Long Beach State garnered three first-place votes and 62 points overall to slot in at third while UC Santa Barbara was picked fourth with 60 points overall. CSUN (44), Cal Poly (43), Hawai'i (27), UC Riverside (17), and UC Davis (16) round out the poll.
2016 Coaches Poll Results
1. Cal State Fullerton (4) - 71
2. UC Irvine (1) - 65
3. Long Beach State (3) - 62
4. UC Santa Barbara (1) - 60
5. CSUN - 44
6. Cal Poly - 43
7. Hawai'i - 27
8. UC Riverside - 17
9. UC Davis – 16
( ) First Place Vote
TITANS AND THE BIG WEST:
Overall, Cal State Fullerton has posted a dominant 728-254-1 (.740) conference record over 41 seasons. Rick Vanderhook, the school's fifth Div. I head coach, has compiled a 73-26 Big West Conference record in his four seasons at the helm and won consecutive conference titles in 2012 and 2013. He helped lead the Titans to another title in 2015, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, Augie Garrido (14). Larry Cochell (1), George Horton (7) and Dave Serrano (3). Overall, the Titans have won 28 conference titles.
A further breakdown has the Titans winning three PCAA conference championships (1975-76, 1987), eight straight SCBA titles (1977-84), and 17 while playing under the Big West name (1990-91, 94-95, 1997, 1999-2001, 2004-06, 2008, 2010-13, 2015). The Big West absorbed the PCAA records in 1990 upon its formation, giving the Titans 20 total Big West championships and a 552-208-1 (.725; 33 years) PCAA/Big West Conference record
NC DINOS EXHIBITION:
For the second straight season, the Titans will host the NC Dinos of the Korean Baseball Organization for an exhibition game at Goodwin Field. The Dinos are currently in spring training and will face off against the Titans, UCLA, UC Irvine and USC during their spring training tour. Last year, the Titans scored all eight of their runs in three innings and hung on to defeat the Dinos, 8-7. Hurst blasted a home run to left field to lead Fullerton's 12-hit barrage on offense.
HOCKIN NAMED TO STOPPER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST:
Cal State Fullerton right-hander Chad Hockin was one of 70 players named to the initial Watch List for the 12th annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, the association announced on Feb. 15. In 2015, Hockin made 18 appearances and one start, tossing 18 and 1/3 innings. He was a part of three shutouts for the Titans last season and struck out 17 batters and issued just three walks, finishing the season with a 2.95 ERA. During the summer, Hockin pitched in the renowned Cape Cod League and was part of the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox squad that scored its second straight Cape League Championship in 2015. Hockin appeared in nine games for the YD Red Sox and tallied two saves, including one in the Cape League playoffs. He posted a 2.08 ERA and struck out 19 batters in 13 innings pitched.
REMEMBER THE TITANS:
Freshman Coby Kauhaahaa's two-run triple in the eighth inning proved to be the difference as Cal State Fullerton scored its eighth straight victory over the Alumni squad, 7-4, on Jan. 30 at Goodwin Field.
Academy and Emmy-Award winning actor and director Kevin Costner (1974-78) suited up fresh off his speech at Dinner with the Titans. Costner took part in batting practice and pregame festivities before making his only plate appearance in the top of the second inning. Freshman Colton Eastman, who started the game for the Titans, fanned Costner for the second out of the frame.
Eastman went five innings and allowed three runs on four hits for the Titans on his way to a no-decision.
For the Alumni, Eddie Delzer (1983-84) made his 19th straight start and was up to his old tricks. Facing Josh Vargas, Delzer literally pulled the string on his changeup, stopping the pitch about five feet in front of the plate as Vargas' swing came up empty.
Delzer absorbed his laughs and applause and then Blake Quinn came in to pitch for the Alumni. The transfer from Fresno, Calif. tossed five innings of his own, allowing two runs on four hits.
Other pitchers that saw action included Gavin Velasquez, Dylan Prohoroff and Scott Serigstad, who got the victory. Chad Hockin came in to close the ninth and retired the side, giving up one double and striking out one.
The game featured many great Titans from the past with a starting lineup that featured Reed Johnson (1997-99), Carlos Lopez (2009-13), Nick Ramirez (2009-11), Davis, Corey Jones (2007-10), Gary Brown (2008-10), Richy Pedroza (2010-13), Matt Orloff (2009-13), and Jared Deacon (2010-14) with Delzer on the mound and Jeff Nichols (1975-78) serving as the Alumni skipper.
Others that attended included Jack Ramirez (1976-77), Thomas Eshelman (2013-15), Austin Diemer (2012-14), Blake Davis (2003-06), Sean Martin (1999-2003), Joe Scott (2005-09), Jim Betzsold (1991-94), Ryan Owens (1997-99), Robby Matos (1994-95), Spencer Oborn (1999), Anthony Hutting (2010-13), Jared Clark (2005-06, 08-09), Jon Wilhite (2005-08), Ricky Romero (2003-05), Rex Ives (1976-77), Jim Irvine (1973-76), Joe Fraser (1995), Paul Canedo (2007), Jason Windsor (2003-04), Tony Martinez (1995-96), Frank Vilorio (1977-78), Nick Mahin (2007), Matt Chapman (2012-14), Paul Cameron (1986-87), Danny Dorn (2003-06), Dave Pherrin (2005-06), Dave Birosak (2012-13), Jason Dovel (2008-09), Tyler Pill (2009-11), Kevin Rath (2008-10), George Sarkissian (1983-84), Bob Caffrey (1982-84), John Alvarez (1976-78), Rod Klopfer (1989), Gaby Halcovich (1997-98), Steve Rath (1994), Travis Kelly (2007-09), Kirk Bates (1984), Justin Garza (2013-15), Tyler Peitzmeier (2012-15), Mike Rouse (2001), Jason Corapci (2000-03), William Fitzgerald (1990-92), Mike Wilson (1973-74), Brock Floro (2009), Koby Gauna (2012-14), DC Olsen (1992-95), Mike Greenlee (1995-97), Chad Rolish (1993-94), Keegan Dale (2011-14), Willie Kuhl (2012-15), Michael Lorenzen (2011-13), Greg Velazquez (2011-14) and Jon Ward (1993-95)
Current Titans undergraduate assistant coaches Chad Cordero (2001-03) and Sergio Pedroza (2003-05) also played for the Alumni on Saturday afternoon.
BRAVO CARRIES OVER RECORD INTO THE NEW SEASON:
Third baseman Jerrod Bravo made Cal State Fullerton history at the Louisville Super Regional as the Cameron Park, Calif.-native reached base for the 44th consecutive game. He reached in both games at the College World Series to extend the streak to 46 at the end of the year. It is one of just two streaks of more than 40 games at Fullerton in the last 13 seasons and he surpassed Tyler Pill's record of 43 straight games, which was set to end the 2010 season. Bravo's streak is also just the fourth streak of more than 30 games in the last 13 seasons at Cal State Fullerton. The streak began on Feb. 15 against Louisville at the Opening Weekend Challenge when he went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in the Titans 8-6 win. Bravo failed to reach base in just two of 45 games played in 2015, which were the first two games of the season. He entered as a defensive replacement on opening night and never got an at-bat and then entered the game as a pinch-hitter against Alabama State on Feb. 14, striking out in his only appearance. Overall, Bravo played in 48 games and started in 41. He batted .318 with 28 runs scored, nine doubles and two triples. In conference, Bravo led the team with a .406 average in 64 at-bats. He tallied 26 hits and posted a 1.024 OPS.
GOING FOR A STROLL:
The Titans had a lot of plate discipline during the 2015 season; drawing 255 walks collectively to lead the Big West Conference. That mark also ranked 38th in the nation. The team drew 20 walks at the Fullerton Regional alone, the third most in a weekend during the season. Josh Vargas and Timmy Richards led the team with 30 walks apiece. David Olmedo-Barrera worked 27 free passes while Jerrod Bravo walked 24 times. Taylor Bryant walked 23 times while six other players recorded double-digit walks in 2015.
HAVE A DOS:
The Titans led the Big West in batters hit by a pitch. Fullerton hitters were pelted 95 times this season, which also ranked fourth in the nation. The 95 hit-by-pitches were also the seventh most in a single season for a Titans team. Dustin Vaught earned the dubious honor of leading the team in the category, catching a stray pitch on his person 16 times, which was the 37th most in the country and third most in the Big West. Four other Titans were pelted more than 10 times, including David Olmedo-Barrera and Jerrod Bravo, each getting plunked a dozen times.
YOU WILL GET NOTHING AND LIKE IT:
In 2015, the Titans pitching staff set a new program record as they went 30 and 2/3 scoreless innings, beginning with the last out of the sixth inning in the Titans' 5-3, 12-inning victory at USC on April 28. The Titans recorded consecutive shutouts for the second time in 2015 after blanking UC Riverside in the first two games of their series on May 1 and 2 and held the Highlanders scoreless for six and 1/3 innings in Sunday's game before a sacrifice fly put an end to the streak. The previous record in the program's recorded history came last year when Titans pitchers went 27 scoreless innings to end the regular season. Nebraska ended that streak in the sixth inning of game one at the Stillwater Regional.
CONTINUED EXCELLENCE:
Fullerton has won 30-plus games in each of its 41 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 clinched a winning season on Friday night and 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 53
2. Miami, Fla. 45
3. Cal State Fullerton 41
Clemson 41
DRAFT DODGERS:
Nine Titans on the current roster have been selected previously in the MLB First-Year Players draft. In 2015, newcomers Colton Eastman and Ruben Cardenas were each selected in the MLB Draft but elected to attend Cal State Fullerton.
TITANS IN THE DRAFT (by round):
Tristan Hildebrandt 2014 16th round St. Louis Cardinals
Connor Seabold 2014 19th round Baltimore Orioles
Colton Eastman 2015 20th round Minnesota Twins
Chris Hudgins 2014 35th round New York Yankees
Ruben Cardenas 2015 37th round Miami Marlins
John Gavin 2014 39th round Milwaukee Brewers
Timmy Richards 2013 40th round Miami Marlins
TITANS IN THE BIG LEAGUES:
The Titans have had 59 former players ascend to the major leagues since their first products, Dan Whitmer and Tim Wallach, got there in 1980. Dustin Garneau became the latest after he made his debut with the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 20 against the Washington Nationals. He doubles in his first career at bat and finished the night 1-for-4. He was the fourth former Titans player to break into the Majors in 2015, joining Noe Ramirez, Michael Lorenzen and Danny Dorn. Ramirez made his debut with the Red Sox in a game against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on July 3. Loreznen made his debut for the Cincinnati Reds on April 29. Lorenzen started on the mound and went five innings, allowing three runs on eight hits. He walked one and struck out five. Lorenzen also collected a hit in his first MLB at-bat, becoming the first Reds pitcher to get a hit in his first at-bat since 2010. Danny Dorn made his debut for the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 22 and entered the game against the Texas Rangers as a pinch hitter. Christian Colon and Gary Brown became the 54th and 55th former Titans to break into the Majors after making their debuts in 2014. Colon appeared in his first game with the Kansas City Royals on July 1 while Brown made his Giants debut on Sept. 3 in Colorado. Both players would go on to be picked up for each team's postseason roster and Colon propelled the Royals past the Oakland Athletics with an RBI single in the American League Wild Card Playoff game. Brown would have his lone postseason at-bat in the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals. Colon finished the regular season with a .333 batting average, playing in 21 games. He had five doubles, one triple and six RBI. Brown played in seven games and went 3-for-7 with a run scored and one RBI. Colon and Brown were two of seven former Titans that played in MLB during the 2014 season, joining Khris Davis (Milwaukee Brewers), Reed Johnson (Miami Marlins), Vinnie Pestano (Cleveland Indians/L.A. Angels), Kurt Suzuki (Minnesota Twins) and Justin Turner (L.A. Dodgers).
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE:
In 2016, the Titans will face seven teams that finished the 2015 season with a top-50 RPI (UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, USC, Arizona State, Indiana, Maryland, UC Irvine). In addition, they will face seven teams that advanced to the 2015 NCAA Tournament (Indiana, Arizona State, San Diego State, Maryland, USC, UCLA, and UC Santa Barbara.)
SUMMER IN KOREA:
The four-time national champion Cal State Fullerton baseball program was selected to represent the United States at the 2015 World University games from July 3-14 in Gwangju City, South Korea. The Titans finished fourth overall in the tournament, falling to hosts South Korea in the Bronze Medal game.
The World University Games is the American term for "Universiade," an international multi-sport event organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The Universiade, which began in 1959, is an international sporting and cultural festival, staged every two years in a different city around the world, representing both winter and summer competitions.
The 2015 Summer Games in Gwangju City, South Korea had U.S. representation in up to 21 sports by 550 people which was the largest American team in the history of U.S. participation in the Games. By contrast, the 2013 American team had 400 athletes and staff in Kazan, Russia.