Victory Gives Titans Share of Big West Title With Fresno State : Baseball: In his first year back at Fullerton, Garrido guides team to title for 13th time in his 16 seasons as its coach.

When Coach Augie Garrido returned to Cal State Fullerton last August, the first year back was expected to a rebuilding season. The Titans had lost most of the players from the 1990 team that won the Big West Conference title and reached the College World Series.

Garrido and his team had to get to know one another, as well as a new field at Amerige Park, the Titans’ temporary home while a stadium is being built on campus. When the season started in February, the Titans (34-22, 15-6 in conference) dropped nine of their first 12.

Garrido said things like “give us time” during those long and frustrating days.

But such times seemed long ago Sunday, as Fullerton defeated San Jose State, 7-2, and earned a share of the Big West Conference title in a game at Amerige Park.

Fullerton’s victory, coupled with Fresno State’s 8-3 loss to UC Santa Barbara, gave the Titans a co-championship with the Bulldogs.

“Who would have believed this?” Garrido said.

Because Fresno State defeated Fullerton twice in three meetings this season, the Bulldogs earned the conference’s automatic berth in the NCAA Regionals.

By earning a share of the conference title, Fullerton’s chances for an at-large berth seem almost assured.

“As co-champions,” Garrido said. “I think we are in outstanding position, but nothing is ever for sure with the NCAA.”

The pairings for the eight regionals will be announced on ESPN at 10:30 a.m. May 20.

The co-championship marked the second consecutive conference title for Fullerton, and the third in a row for Garrido, who led Illinois to the Big Ten crown in 1989 and 1990.

It was the 13th conference title for Garrido in his 16 seasons at Fullerton.

Sunday’s game was tight until San Jose’s defense loosened in the eighth inning , making three errors that led to four unearned runs and a 7-2 Fullerton lead.

James Popoff (7-3) earned the victory for Fullerton, allowing two runs and five hits in 7 2/3 innings.

Fullerton had led, 1-0, on an RBI-single by Steve Sisco in the third, but San Jose went up, 2-1, on a two-run home run by Ken Henderson in the seventh. It was his fourth homer of the season.

The Titans came right back in their half of the seventh to take a 3-2 lead.

Jason Moler started the rally with a one-out walk. Frank Charles then doubled down the line in left field. Moler tied it, 2-2, when he scored from third on a passed ball.

Craig Fairbrother surprised San Jose by swinging at a 3-0 pitch and ramming it up the middle for a single to score Charles and put Fullerton up, 3-2.

Popoff got the first two outs of the eighth, but walked Jason Bugg and was replaced by Dan Naulty, who pitched a complete game Friday against San Jose State, winning, 2-1. Chris Robinson usually is called upon in such situations, but he pitched four innings Saturday.

Naulty allowed a double to left by Dan Smith, but Bugg was held at third. Steve Anderson grounded out to end the threat.

Phil Nevin started the Fullerton eighth-inning rally with a one-out double. He went to third when Moler’s grounder went through the legs of San Jose third baseman Craig Jacobs for an error.

It was shortstop Anderson’s turn next. Frank Charles hit a a two-hopper that had double-play possibilities, but it went off Anderson’s glove and he was unable to pick it up in time to get an out. Nevin scored on the play to give Fullerton a 4-2 lead.

David Ayala then bunted to load the bases. Matt Hattabaugh hit a sharp grounder to third, but it glanced off Jacobs’ glove and went into left field for another error, allowing two more runs to score.

Chris Powell laid down a squeeze bunt and slid around the tag at first base to drive in Fullerton’s final run.

In the ninth, Naulty allowed a two-out single but got Jacobs to ground out to end the game. It was his second save.

“I really have high respect for our players,” Garrido said. “Overcoming a stunning defeat yesterday. So many times teams come out flatter than a pancake the next day, but obviously they didn’t.”