Former El Monte, Arcadia Preps Give Fullerton a One-Two Punch : Baseball: It’s not unusual for Paco Chavez to relieve starter Mike Parisi.

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY / OMAHA — Cal State Fullerton’s appearance in the 1992 College World Series marked the end of Paco Chavez’s collegiate baseball career and the relative beginning for Mike Parisi.

For Chavez, a senior relief pitcher from El Monte, pitching in Rosenblatt Stadium fulfilled a dream that began when he was playing for Arroyo High.

For Parisi, a freshman starter from Arcadia, pitching for the Titans in the College World Series is probably only one of several big moments he will experience during a career expected to continue at the professional level.

As a combination, the two pitchers proved dominant for the Titans during the NCAA tournament. On Tuesday, Parisi pitched a day after learning that he had mononucleosis. He gave up two hits in six innings, then gave way to Chavez, who gave up two hits in three innings as Fullerton eliminated Florida State, 6-0.

It was an almost identical performance to the one Parisi and Chavez turned in during an 11-0 victory over defending national champion Louisiana State two weeks ago in the South I Regional at Baton Rouge, La.

“We wouldn’t be here without Paco and Mike stepping forward and solidifying our pitching staff,” Fullerton Coach Augie Garrido said after the Titans advanced to Wednesday’s game against top-seeded Miami. “They have been critical to our success.”

Chavez, a 5-foot-8 right-hander, transferred to Fullerton from Cerritos College, where he was 7-2 with four saves in two seasons.

Last year, Chavez was 1-0 with a 4.25 earned-run average and one save in 36 innings at Fullerton.

“On the first day at Fullerton, some new players from other schools thought I was the equipment manager,” Chavez said. “I had to prove that I could go out there and pitch.”

Chavez was 3-3 with a 2.63 ERA in 51 innings entering this year’s College World Series.

“Paco is a strike-thrower who keeps you in games,” said George Horton, Fullerton’s associate head coach. “He’s not overpowering and he’s not a guy who’s going to be savior, but every staff needs someone like him.”

Chavez pitched three scoreless innings Friday in Fullerton’s 7-2 victory over Florida State in the Titans’ College World Series opener. Fullerton third baseman Phil Nevin, who was selected by the Houston Astros as the No. 1 pick in the amateur draft, hit a grand slam in the victory.

“I’ve basically achieved everything I can in baseball,” Chavez said. “I’ve been on a lot of great teams and played with some great players. I think I’ve gotten the most out of my ability and had a lot of fun.”

Parisi, a 6-3 right-hander, is only beginning to tap his ability. He was 4-1 with a 3.54 ERA in 40 2/3 innings entering the College World Series. Parisi was a long reliever at the start of the season but soon became the Titans’ midweek starter.

“I came in thinking that as a freshman I would probably get some innings, make the traveling team and enjoy myself while getting ready for next year,” said Parisi, who chose Fullerton over USC. “Now I want the ball as much as I can. I don’t consider myself a freshman anymore.”

Neither does the Fullerton coaching staff.

“Mike has been improving all year and he is going to be outstanding,” Horton said. “He was an excellent basketball player in high school, and he pitched on Babe Ruth teams that played in front of large crowds. He’s been in the spotlight before, and I think he has the mentality that he likes to be there.”

Parisi got his first taste of the collegiate spotlight at the regional in Baton Rouge, where he started before a record crowd of 5,972 at Alex Box Stadium.

“A guy hit my first pitch off the wall for a double and I’ve never heard so much noise in my life,” Parisi said. “My mind was blank. Phil (Nevin) comes to the mound and says, ‘Look at the dent on this ball. I’ve never seen a ball hit that hard.’

“It wasn’t what I expected him to say, but it really relaxed me.”

Parisi gave up only three more hits in five shutout innings. Chavez came on in relief and gave up no hits in four shutout innings.

“Until we got here in Omaha, that was the biggest crowd I had ever pitched in front of,” Chavez said. “I was warming up in the bullpen and they were all over me.

“I was nervous the first couple of pitches, but I just settled down and felt real comfortable as the game went on.”

Chavez plans to graduate from Fullerton next semester with a degree in physical education. He will attend Rio Hondo College and study fire science with hopes of becoming a fireman.

Parisi, meanwhile, will play in the Cape Cod summer league with some of the nation’s best college players.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence,” Parisi said. “I did pretty well this season, but I think I’m only starting to develop into the pitcher that I think I can be.”