Cal State Fullerton Notebook : Garman Hopes for a Break in NCAA Playoff Pairings

The Cal State Fullerton softball team has finished its regular season with a dubious distinction, having lost more games than any team since the program began in 1980.

But Coach Judi Garman, who expected a struggle after she lost six key starters from last season, hasn’t been too upset.

“Well, it’s been a new experience,” she said.

This team, which finished 52-18 and is awaiting an expected bid to the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. regionals, is a far cry from that 30-25 team in 1980, but it pales in comparison to the teams of the past three years, all of which have finished in the top three at the College World Series. The Titans won the national championship in 1986.

Of course, there is still at least a theoretical chance that Fullerton, ranked ninth, could keep up that streak.

The Titans are awaiting the announcement of the 20-team NCAA field and pairings, set for Monday.

Garman’s guess is that Fullerton will be sent to a two-team regional against top-ranked UCLA in Westwood, a difficult draw.

But she also sees some advantages in such a draw.

Twelve of the 20 teams will play in three-team regionals, but the other eight--the top four seeded teams and their opponents--will play in two-team regionals.

Garman figures a two-team regional could be an advantage for Fullerton, which is without an ace pitcher for the first time in years. In a three-team, double-elimination regional, Fullerton could play four games in two days, placing a strain on its thin pitching staff. In a two-team regional, the teams play a best-of-three series over two days.

“Obviously they’re a tough team,” Garman said of UCLA, which split with Fullerton this season. “Our chances might not be better against that team, but the format suits us.”

Regional play will be May 20-21.

Before the season, Garman remembers, several people told her they thought third base was going to be the Titans’ weakest position.

Garman didn’t agree, and Val Douglas has proved her right.

Douglas lead the Titans in hitting with a .352 average and has been named first-team All-Pacific Coast Athletic Assn., along with outfielder Carey Hess, whose .339 average was the team’s second best.

Anjie Bryant, a freshman pitcher, and Charis Monroe, a junior shortstop, were named second-team All-PCAA.

The Fullerton baseball team, which finished its regular season at 37-16 with an 8-4 victory over USC Wednesday, is also awaiting a bid to the NCAA regionals.

Larry Cochell, Titan coach, is confident that Fullerton will make the 48-team field despite a recent slump, not only because the Titans have been ranked highly most of the season, but because they have beaten such teams as Stanford, Loyola Marymount, Louisiana State and Pepperdine.

And there’s one other thing: Cochell is on the NCAA selection committee.

Regional pairings will be announced May 23, with competition beginning at eight sites that week.

The 12th-ranked Titans aren’t likely to remain idle during the wait, and probably will schedule additional games.

The women’s track team will send eight runners to the PCAA track and field championships at Logan, Utah this weekend.

Fullerton’s representatives: Trish Aubuchon (100 meters and 200 meters), Lori Shaw (400), Sonja Cooper and Tracy Sleffer (800), Lila Litts (1,500), Tina Ortega (100-meter hurdles) and Beth Rosipajala (5,000).

Titan Notes

Basketball player Amy Torczon and football player Tom Phillips have been selected scholar-athletes of the year at Fullerton. . . . Sophomore catcher Brent Mayne was the only Fullerton baseball player named to the all-PCAA first team. Pitchers Mark Beck and Longo Garcia, first baseman Keith Kaub, second baseman Mike Ross, shortstop Mark Razook and utility player Rex Peters were named to the second team. . . . There will be a golf tournament July 11 on the Green River Golf Club Riverside course to benefit the Titan football program. The field is limited to 144 players with an entry fee of $125. For information, call 773-2783.