FULLERTON, Calif. – With the 2020 season right around the corner, Baseball America has tabbed Cal State Fullerton to reclaim the Big West title.
The Titans have now been picked in four different preseason polls to finish first in the Big West Conference including the Big West coaches poll, D1 Baseball and Perfect Game.
From Teddy Cahill/Baseball America - "Last year, for the first time since 1991, the Titans missed the NCAA Tournament. It was a tough blow for one of college baseball's most historically successful programs and led to some big changes at Fullerton. Coach Rick Vanderhook remade his coaching staff as he enters his ninth season at the program's helm, hiring Sergio Brown (recruiting coordinator), Andy Jenkins (volunteer assistant) and Dan Ricabal (pitching coach), all of whom have long track records of success as coaches. Fullerton also brought in a 15-man recruiting class and the newcomers will get a chance to contribute right away."
"Sophomore catcher Kameron Guangorena (.261/.325/.341) gives the Titans an experienced hand behind the plate and senior first baseman Isaiah Garcia (.323/.394/.437) was last year one of the team's best hitters."
"If sophomores Jason Brandow (.256/.316/.422) and Zach Lew (.313/.448/.458) are able to take on larger roles and freshmen like Caden Connor and JJ Cruz are ready to contribute right away, the lineup will have solid depth."
"Junior righthander Tanner Bibee (5-7, 4.33) gives the Titans a leader at the front of the rotation, while sophomores Michael Knorr (4-4, 5.90), Kyle Luckham (4-6, 5.37), Joe Magrisi (1-3, 4.64) and Michael Weisberg (1-1, 6.50, 6 SV) all have the stuff to take a big step forward. They'll need to, as the Titans last season did not pitch to a level they're accustomed to. If they're able to do so and the newcomers, both on the coaching staff and on the team, provide the anticipated impact, Fullerton can quickly bounce back to set its sights on another title."
Fullerton opens up the regular season Friday against No. 17 Stanford at Sunken Diamond with first pitch for Friday night's game scheduled for 6:05 p.m. PT.
The Titans first home game of the 2020 season is Friday, Feb. 21 as Tulane comes to Goodwin Field for a three-game series.
Fans can buy season tickets and single game tickets for the 2020 season here:
https://fullertontitans.com/tickets/BB-tickets-detail
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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.
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