BRIEFLY: Emerged as the Titans' starting shortstop in 2004, but will have to fight for playing time with teammate Blake Davis at the position in 2005 • Started the first 13 games and 23 of the team's final 24 games at short • Has greatly improved his offense during fall practice according to Coach Horton • Prior to his freshman year, Coach Horton said he had the potential to be one of the best infielders ever at Cal State Fullerton.

TITANS '04: Appeared in 51 games, making 37 starts at shortstop for the Titans • Struggled offensively, hitting just .237 on the year, but did finish with 15 RBI - including three runs driven in a 9-8 extra-inning win over Pepperdine on March 17 • Started all but one of the Titans' games in the postseason, collecting a pair of hits in wins over Minnesota and Tulane • Best game came on Feb. 15 against Arizona when he went 3-for-3 with a pair of runs, two RBI, and two walks in a 12-10 victory • Numbers picked up in Big West play, hitting .308 (12-for-39) with 12 runs scored.

TITANS '03: Appeared in 22 games and started five as the Titans' backup shortstop • Had his best game vs. Pepperdine on Mar. 4, when he went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs and a stolen base.

SANTA CRUZ H.S.: Was a three-year letterman at Santa Cruz (Calif.) H.S., where he was a third baseman, shortstop and pitcher • Selected the league and county MVP as a senior, when he batted .445 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI and was successful in 27-of-28 stolen base attempts • Also selected to the CalHiSports all-state team • Batted .395 in 27 games as a junior to earn second-team all-league and first-team all-county accolades • Helped Santa Cruz to a 22-5 record as a junior and to a 23-6 record as a senior.

PERSONAL: Born on Feb. 23, 1984, in Santa Cruz, Calif. • Parents are Brian and Cheryl Walton • Major is undecided • Father is a respected biologist and coordinator of the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group • Lists going to sleep before the second game versus Texas in the College World Series his biggest sports thrill • Likes skimboarding • Enjoys playing the guitar • Would like to see LSU added to Fullerton's schedule • Selected by San Francisco in the 23rd round of the 2002 Major League Baseball first-year player draft • Favorites ... Khalil Greene (player), San Fransisco Giants (team), John Travolta (actor), Where the Red Fern Grows (book) anything with potatoes or cheese (food).