Parisi Makes Florida State Look Ill, 6-0 : College World Series: Fullerton pitcher learns he has mononucleosis, limits Seminoles to two hits in six innings.

Not even mononucleosis could keep Cal State Fullerton freshman Mike Parisi from taking the mound for Tuesday’s College World Series game against Florida State.

Parisi, ill since the Titans arrived in Omaha, thought all he had was strep throat. An Omaha doctor added mono to the diagnosis Monday, but told Titan coaches Parisi’s condition would get no worse if he pitched.

Fullerton was the better for it.

Parisi, a right-hander from Arcadia High School, gave up only two hits in six innings to lead Fullerton to a 6-0 victory over Florida State before 8,500 in Rosenblatt Stadium.

Paco Chavez pitched three scoreless innings for the save, and the Titans doused two Seminole threats by turning difficult double plays to eliminate Florida State and advance to today’s 2 p.m. game against Miami.

Fullerton (44-16) lost to Miami, 4-3, Sunday and must defeat the Hurricanes today and Friday to gain a berth in Saturday’s national championship game.

If the Titans get that far, Parisi would probably pitch, and Fullerton Coach Augie Garrido says he would start the freshman.

“I’ve sensed in him a star-like quality--this guy wants to be something, and he wants the ball in this situation,” Garrido said. “He likes the challenge and excitement of a big game.”

Parisi thrived Tuesday, striking out three and not allowing a runner past second base. He walked three, but kept the Seminoles off-balance, changing speeds on his slider and gaining command of a changeup to go with his fastball.

“I feel pretty tired now, but nothing was going to keep me from pitching in the College World Series,” Parisi said. “I could have pitched more, but there was no need to.”

Not with Chavez, who teamed with Parisi to shut out Louisiana State, 11-0, in the South I Region playoffs, ready in the bullpen.

With the Titans ahead, 3-0, Chavez replaced Parisi to start the seventh inning. Two pitches later, Florida State had runners on first and second after Ty Mueller’s bunt single and Chris Brock’s single to left.

Kevin McCray hit a grounder toward the second base hole, but Fullerton first baseman D.C. Olsen made a back-handed stop and fired to shortstop Nate Rodriquez for the force. Rodriquez relayed to Chavez in time to double McCray.

Tony Liebsack grounded out to end the inning, and Chavez retired the Seminoles in order in the eighth and ninth.

Fullerton added three insurance runs in the ninth, one on Steve Sisco’s second run-scoring hit of the game.

“If D.C. Olsen doesn’t make a great play, we’re back in the ballgame,” Florida State Coach Mike Martin said. “Cal State Fullerton plays as hard as any team we’ve faced, they’re well-schooled and it’s fun to watch them execute.”

Florida State played an errorless game and turned two important double plays, but the Seminoles were hurt by 11 walks issued by five pitchers, including five by starter Chris Roberts. Five Titans who walked eventually scored.

Jeremy Carr walked to open the game, was sacrificed to second and scored on Phil Nevin’s single to center. Chris Powell walked to open the third and later scored when Sisco’s hit into a double play.

Nevin walked with one out in the fifth, advanced to second on Jason Moler’s groundout and scored on Sisco’s bloop double, which bounced out of the glove of diving left fielder Kenny Felder.

The Titans protected their 3-0 lead with defense. Rodriquez, who made a costly error against Miami, made a leaping grab of McCray’s chopper in the fifth, went into the hole to field Nandy Serrano’s grounder and turn it into a double play in the sixth, and was the middle man in the 3-6-1 double play in the seventh.