COLLEGE WORLD SERIES NOTEBOOK : Gonzales’ Injury Hurt, but So Did Popoff’s Misplay

Losing left fielder Rich Gonzales in the second inning to a neck injury didn’t help Cal State Fullerton Saturday night, but Titan Coach Larry Cochell says that wasn’t the critical point of Fullerton’s 14-4 loss to Oklahoma State.

The key play, Cochell said, was when pitcher James Popoff failed to cover first base on Jeromy Burnitz’s leadoff hit in the second inning.

Titan first baseman Steve Sisco made a diving, back-handed stop of Burnitz’s low liner but couldn’t reach first in time to catch Burnitz. Normally on such a play, the pitcher covers first, but Popoff arrived late.

“I thought it was a base hit, and then I saw it in Steve’s glove,” Popoff said. “I was in slow-motion at that point. I knew I had to get to the bag, but my feet were in cement.”

Neil Szeryk followed with a two-run home run, Steve Dailey struck out and Manny Cervantes walked. Danny Perez then struck out, which would have been the third out of the inning had Popoff retired Burnitz.

But Mitch Simons walked, and Bobby Carlsen and Brad Beanblossom each hit RBI singles. Then Michael Daniel’s hit to left-center field turned into a three-run home run when Gonzales crashed into the wall attempting to make the catch.

“If we make the play at first base, we get out of that inning allowing just one run,” Cochell said. “But we don’t make it and we give up seven runs.”

Friendly fire: Because they were familiar with Oklahoma State pitcher Dennis Burbank, some Fullerton players figured they would have an advantage over the junior right-hander.

Several Titans played against Burbank when he was at Valencia High School and Cypress College, and Fullerton designated hitter Frank Charles caught Burbank at Pepperdine.

But to know Burbank wasn’t to hit him. Burbank, mixing his breaking balls and off-speed pitches, allowed seven hits in seven innings to gain the victory.

“It was a little special to beat Fullerton,” said Burbank, who is friends with several of the Titans. “It was nice that Fullerton got here. It was nicer to beat them.”

On deck: Cochell said left-hander Huck Flener or right-hander Sam Colarusso will pitch Monday’s elimination game against The Citadel. The Titans won a coin flip Saturday night and will be the home team.