Titans Can Think of ’99 Reasons to Believe in ’01

Pitcher Kirk Saarloos hopes he’s right about this season’s Cal State Fullerton baseball team.

“It reminds me a lot of the team we had my sophomore year,” Saarloos said.

That 1999 team advanced to the College World Series after winning the Big West Conference title by four games, sweeping through the NCAA regional at Notre Dame and winning a super regional at Ohio State.

“Last year, we had a lot of talent on the mound, but we didn’t jell the way we did the year before,” Saarloos said. “This season, everyone is trying to get better every day, and the chemistry seems to be good.”

Fullerton started last season ranked No. 2 in the nation, but had to settle for a share of the conference championship with Nevada after losing two of three games to Long Beach State in the final regular-season series. The Titans also hosted their first NCAA regional, but didn’t survive it. They were eliminated by USC in the title game and finished 38-21. It was Fullerton’s fewest victories since the 1993 team was 35-19.

The Titans, ranked 12th by Collegiate Baseball and 15th by Baseball America, begin the new season Tuesday at Pepperdine.

Much will depend on whether the offense is more productive. Saarloos thinks it will be.

“The lineup I faced in practice is going to be strong,” Saarloos said. “They were all tough guys to get out, and there’s a good balance between right-handed and left-handed hitters.”

That observation comes from a pitcher who led the Big West with a 2.32 earned-run average last season and then posted a 0.34 ERA as the closer for Team USA during the summer.

Coach George Horton expects this year’s team to have more power. The Titans hit 44 home runs last season, and no player had more than nine. In 1999, Fullerton had 91 homers, with three players hitting 13 or more.

“It wasn’t just the power that was a difference,” Horton said. “We didn’t get the clutch hit in important games. The two-out RBI eluded us. We weren’t a mentally tough team last season. We could beat anyone, but we could lose to anyone. I feel this team’s personality is better.”

Fullerton has several position players returning who were among the regulars last season.

That group is led by second baseman David Bacani, who has an opportunity to become the first player in Big West history to earn first-team all-conference honors for four seasons. Bacani ranked second on the team with a .358 batting average and second in runs batted in with 44 last season.

Three other infield regulars return. Senior Aaron Rifkin is back at first base after batting .322 with nine homers, but his RBI total dropped from 47 in 1999 to 27 last season.

Junior Shawn “Murph” Norris returns at third base looking improved. “He’s made a huge step for the better in practice this season,” Horton said. “He’s hitting well and playing excellent defense.”

Sophomore Mike Martinez was the regular at shortstop last season but has been in a tight position battle with Mike Rouse, who sat out last season after transferring from San Jose State. Horton said Martinez has an edge on defense. That might move Rouse into the outfield or to the designated hitter role to start the season.

Junior Chris Stringfellow, a first-team All-Big West selection, returns in center field after batting .351 with 34 RBIs last season. He is 10 pounds heavier and is showing more power.

“I’ve worked hard on weight training,” Stringfellow said. “We have a new weight coach [Mike Nagler] and he’s worked with me on strengthening my lower body to get more torque into my swing. I feel stronger.”

The other two outfield spots likely will be filled from a group that includes sophomore Jason Corapci, senior Matt Belfanti, junior Robert Guzman and freshmen Kyle Boyer and Shane Costa.

Horton said Boyer is capable of providing some of the power Fullerton lacked last season.

Junior Brett Kay returns at catcher after starting 31 games last season.

Adam Johnson, the Titans’ top starting pitcher last season, was the second player picked in last June’s major league draft and signed a $2.5-million contract with the Minnesota Twins.

Returning starter Jon Smith, a two-time academic All-American, is expected to take over Johnson’s role as first-game starter in three-game weekend series.

In three seasons, Smith has an 18-4 record and 3.41 ERA, but his durability has been a concern each season. “I feel stronger physically this season,” Smith said. “I’ve felt good after all my [intrasquad] outings, and that’s a good sign.”

Saarloos will move into the rotation after two seasons in the bullpen. He is expected to start on the final day of weekend series and would be available to close the first game.

Saarloos said his summer with Team USA was a boost to his confidence. He struck out 35 and gave up only 10 hits in 26 2/3 innings, posting a 3-0 record.

The third spot in the weekend rotation is unsettled. Fullerton College transfer Shane Waroff is expect to contend for it, as is sophomore Nick Lovato. Junior Charlie Zahari, a transfer from Central Missouri State, also is a possibility. Freshman Chad Cordero is regarded as a solid reliever.

Fullerton’s schedule ranks as one of its toughest in recent years, with 24 games against teams ranked in the top 25 in preseason polls. The Titans play Stanford in a three-game series at home beginning Friday night.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Titan Baseball Facts and Figures

2001 ROSTER

*

No.: 41

Name: Sean Alley

Pos.: IF

Hgt.: 6-1

Wgt.: 165

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Jr.

Hometown (Previous school): Issaquah, Wash. (El Camino CC)

*

No.: 1

Name: David Bacani

Pos.: 2B

Hgt.: 5-8

Wgt.: 165

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Sr.

Hometown (Previous school): Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos HS)

*

No.: 5

Name: Matt Belfanti

Pos.: OF

Hgt.: 5-10

Wgt.: 185

B/T: L/L

Yr.: Sr.

Hometown (Previous school): Ukiah, Calif. (Mendocino JC)

*

No.: 22

Name: Kyle Boyer

Pos.: OF

Hgt.: 6-1

Wgt.: 193

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): Temecula (Temecula Valley HS)

*

No.: 46

Name: Richie Burgos

Pos.: IF

Hgt.: 5-11

Wgt.: 170

B/T: L/R

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): Glendora (La Puente Bishop Amat HS)

*

No.: 23

Name: Geoff Comfort

Pos.: OF/1B

Hgt.: 6-0

Wgt.: 200

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Jr.

Hometown (Previous school): Burlingame, Calif. (College of San Mateo)

*

No.: 47

Name: Adam Cooper

Pos.: OF

Hgt.: 6-1

Wgt.: 200

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): North Hollywood (Brentwood School)

*

No.: 4

Name: Jason Corapci

Pos.: IF/OF

Hgt.: 5-8

Wgt.: 165

B/T: R/R

Yr.: So.

Hometown (Previous school): Orange (Canyon HS)

*

No.: 32

Name: Chad Cordero

Pos.: RHP

Hgt.: 6-0

Wgt.: 190

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): Chino (Chino Don Lugo HS)

*

No.: 33

Name: Shane Costa

Pos.: OF

Hgt.: 6-1

Wgt.: 180

B/T: L/R

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): Visalia (Golden West HS)

*

No.: 39

Name: Travis Esquibel

Pos.: LHP

Hgt.: 6-1

Wgt.: 185

B/T: L/L

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): Vista (Rancho Buena Vista HS)

*

No.: 21

Name: Nick Fitzgerald

Pos.: 1B

Hgt.: 6-3

Wgt.: 195

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos HS)

*

No.: 11

Name: David Garcia

Pos.: IF

Hgt.: 6-0

Wgt.: 150

B/T: B/R

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): Temecula (Temecula Valley HS)

*

No.: 26

Name: Robert Guzman

Pos.: OF

Hgt.: 5-10

Wgt.: 190

B/T: L/L

Yr.: Jr.

Hometown (Previous school): Lemoore, Calif. (Lemoore HS)

*

No.: 10

Name: Cole Hilt

Pos.: 1B

Hgt.: 6-4

Wgt.: 220

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): Temecula (Temecula Valley HS)

*

No.: 42

Name: Travis Ingle

Pos.: RHP

Hgt.: 6-3

Wgt.: 200

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): Cypress (Cypress HS)

*

No.: 24

Name: Brett Kay

Pos.: C

Hgt.: 6-1

Wgt.: 190

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Jr.

Hometown (Previous school): Villa Park (Mater Dei HS)

*

No.: 27

Name: Louie Lamoure

Pos.: IF/OF

Hgt.: 5-11

Wgt.: 185

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Sr.

Hometown (Previous school): Fresno (Fresno CC)

*

No.: 17

Name: Wes Littleton

Pos.: RHP

Hgt.: 6-1

Wgt.: 170

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): Oceanside (Vista HS)

*

No.: 31

Name: Nick Lovato

Pos.: LHP

Hgt.: 6-4

Wgt.: 200

B/T: L/L

Yr.: So.

Hometown (Previous school): Yorba Linda (Mater Dei HS)

*

No.: 48

Name: Sean Martin

Pos.: RHP

Hgt.: 6-0

Wgt.: 170

B/T: R/R

Yr.: So.

Hometown (Previous school): Tucson, Ariz. (Corona del Sol HS)

*

No.: 12

Name: Mike Martinez

Pos.: SS

Hgt.: 6-0

Wgt.: 175

B/T: R/R

Yr.: So.

Hometown (Previous school): Anaheim (Katella HS)

*

No.: 20

Name: Dan Mercadefe

Pos.: C

Hgt.: 6-4

Wgt.: 195

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): Riverside (La Sierra HS)

*

No.: 25

Name: Darric Merrell

Pos.: RHP

Hgt.: 6-4

Wgt.: 200

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): Temecula (Temecula Valley HS)

*

No.: 3

Name: Shawn Norris

Pos.: 3B

Hgt.: 6-2

Wgt.: 160

B/T: L/R

Yr.: Jr.

Hometown (Previous school): Draper, Utah (Alta HS)

*

No.: 9

Name: Mike Nunez

Pos.: RHP

Hgt.: 6-0

Wgt.: 180

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Sr.

Hometown (Previous school): San Jose (San Jose CC)

*

No.: 44

Name: P.J. Pilittere

Pos.: C

Hgt.: 6-0

Wgt.: 105

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): Walnut (Bishop Amat HS)

*

No.: 45

Name: Aaron Rifkin

Pos.: 1B

Hgt.: 6-3

Wgt.: 215

B/T: L/L

Yr.: Sr.

Hometown (Previous school): Fontana (Chapman University)

*

No.: 35

Name: Chad Robbins

Pos.: RHP

Hgt.: 6-2

Wgt.: 180

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Fr.

Hometown (Previous school): Murrieta (Murrieta Valley HS)

*

No.: 7

Name: Mike Rouse

Pos.: IF

Hgt.: 6-0

Wgt.: 185

B/T: L/R

Yr.: So.

Hometown (Previous school): San Jose (San Jose State)

*

No.: 2

Name: Kirk Saarloos

Pos.: RHP

Hgt.: 6-0

Wgt.: 180

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Sr.

Hometown (Previous school): Long Beach (Cerritos Valley Christian HS)

*

No.: 34

Name: Jon Smith

Pos.: LHP

Hgt.: 6-0

Wgt.: 205

B/T: L/L

Yr.: Sr.

Hometown (Previous school): Nuevo, Calif. (Perris HS)

*

No.: 6

Name: Chris Stringfellow

Pos.: OF

Hgt.: 5-10

Wgt.: 170

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Jr.

Hometown (Previous school): Vista (Rancho Buena Vista HS)

*

No.: 15

Name: Lachlan Thorburn

Pos.: C

Hgt.: 6-0

Wgt.: 175

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Jr.

Hometown (Previous school): Queensland, Australia (Riverside CC)

*

No.: 30

Name: Shane Waroff

Pos.: RHP

Hgt.: 6-5

Wgt.: 220

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Jr.

Hometown (Previous school): Walnut (Fullerton College)

*

No.: 40

Name: Josh Weller

Pos.: OF

Hgt.: 6-0

Wgt.: 210

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Sr.

Hometown (Previous school): Long Beach (Cerritos CC)

*

No.: 19

Name: Charlie Zahari

Pos.: RHP

Hgt.: 6-2

Wgt.: 180

B/T: R/R

Yr.: Jr.

Hometown (Previous school): Hemet (Central Missouri State)

*

Head coach: George Horton (fifth season). Assistants: Dave Serrano (fifth season), Rick Vanderhook (15th season). Volunteer assistant: Chad Baum (second season).

2001 SCHEDULE

TUESDAY--at Pepperdine, 2 p.m.

FRIDAY--vs. Stanford, 7 p.m.; SATURDAY--vs. Stanford, 1 p.m.; SUNDAY--vs. Stanford, 1 p.m.; FEB. 6--at USC, 6 p.m.; 9--at Baylor, 5 p.m.; 10--at Baylor, 11 a.m.; 11--at Baylor, 11 a.m.; 13--vs. Loyola Marymount, 7 p.m.; 15--vs. Brigham Young, 7 p.m.; 16--vs. Brigham Young, 7 p.m.; 17--vs. Brigham Young, 1 p.m.; 23--vs. Arizona State, 7 p.m.; 24--vs. Arizona State, 1 p.m.; 25--Arizona State, 1 p.m; 27--vs. UCLA, 7 p.m.

MARCH 2--vs. Tennessee, 7 p.m. (Kia Baseball Bash); 3--vs. Wichita State, 7 p.m. (Kia Baseball Bash); 4--vs. Long Beach State, 5:30 p.m. (Kia Baseball Bash); 9--at Houston, 5 p.m.; 10--at Houston, noon; 11--at Houston, 11 a.m.; 13--vs. Hosei (Japan) University, 5 p.m. (exhibition); 16--vs. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 7 p.m.; 17--vs. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 1 p.m.; 18--vs. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 1 p.m.; 23--at Long Beach State, 7 p.m.; 24--at Long Beach State, 6 p.m.; 25--at Long Beach State, 1 p.m.; 27--vs. USC, 7 p.m.; 30--at Miami, 4 p.m.; 31--at Miami, 4 p.m.

APRIL 1--at Miami, 10 a.m.; 6--vs. Pacific *, 7 p.m.; 7--vs. Pacific *, 7 p.m.; 8--vs. Pacific *,1 p.m.; 12--at Sacramento State *, 2 p.m.; 13--at Sacramento State *, 2 p.m.; 14--at Sacramento State *, 1 p.m.; 17--at Loyola Marymount, 2:30 p.m.; 20--at Cal State Northridge *, 3 p.m.; 21--at Cal State Northridge *, 1 p.m.; 22--at Cal State Northridge *, 1 p.m.; 27--vs. UC Riverside, 7 p.m.; 28--vs. UC Riverside, 7 p.m.; 29--vs. UC Riverside, 1 p.m.

MAY 1--vs. Pepperdine, 7 p.m.; 4--at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo *, 7 p.m.; 5--at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo *, 7 p.m.; 6--at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo *, 1 p.m.; 9--at UCLA, 6 p.m.; 11--vs. UC Santa Barbara *, 7 p.m.; 12--vs. UC Santa Barbara *, 7 p.m.; 13--vs. UC Santa Barbara *, 1 p.m.; 18--vs. Long Beach State *, 7 p.m.; 19--vs. Long Beach State *, 7 p.m.; 20--vs. Long Beach State *, 1 p.m.

* Big West Conference game