COLLEGE WORLD SERIES NOTEBOOK : Titans Chalk Up Runs on Hurricanes’ Fielding Miscues

Cal State Fullerton played errorless defense Friday night. But Miami, one of the nation’s best defensive teams, committed three errors in the first five innings as the Titans built a 5-0 lead.

With the bases loaded in the third inning, Fullerton’s Phil Nevin grounded to Kevin DiGiacomo at first, and DiGiacomo threw to second to force out Chris Powell.

But shortstop Luis Hernandez’s relay to first bounced by pitcher Jeff Alkire and into the Miami dugout, allowing Steve Sisco to score for a 3-0 lead.

After a 23-minute rain delay in the fifth, Fullerton had runners on first and third, and Sisco grounded a ball to the left of second baseman Dave Berg. Berg couldn’t glove the ball, though, and Nevin scored on the error.

Frank Herman sacrificed Sisco to second and Jason Moler to third, and D.C. Olsen was walked intentionally to load the bases.

Nate Rodriquez then grounded to DiGiacomo at first, and he threw threw to the plate to force Moler for an out. Miami catcher Charles Johnson didn’t have a play at first, but he tried to pick Sisco off third.

Johnson’s throw, however, hit Sisco in the back and rolled toward center field, allowing Sisco to score to make it 5-0.

Flip side: Miami scored its only run in the top of the sixth, but an excellent defensive play by Sisco prevented the Hurricanes from a bigger inning.

With Johnathen Smith on first and Berg on third, pitcher James Popoff faked a pick-off attempt to third and looked to throw to first. Smith headed for second, and Popoff threw to second baseman Sisco. Sisco started to chase Smith in a rundown but then wheeled and threw to third to pick off Berg.

DiGiacomo singled to center to score Smith, but Donald Robinson grounded out to end the inning.

Good omens: Miami Coach Ron Fraser predicted a Fullerton victory over Pepperdine in today’s national championship game, and history is on the Titans’ side.

Fullerton is the fourth consecutive No. 4 seed to play in the championship game, and all three previous No. 4 teams--Wichita State (1989), Georgia (1990) and Louisiana State (1991)--won the College World Series. However, since 1988, only the No. 4 and No. 7 seeds have reached the title game, and Pepperdine is the seventh seed.

Pepperdine Coach Andy Lopez said ace right-hander Patrick Ahearne, who shut out Wichita State, 6-0, last Saturday, will start, while Augie Garrido said he will most likely start senior right-hander Dan Naulty and use freshman right-hander Mike Parisi in relief.

“All year long, the pro scouts in Southern California felt Pepperdine was the area’s best team, largely because of its pitching staff and the experience of its position players,” Fullerton Coach Augie Garrido said. “We’ve understood for a long time that Pepperdine is an outstanding team.”

(Do The) Titan (Up): The major-league stars of tomorrow are playing in the College World Series today. Supposing ESPN’s Chris Berman needs the help--and how can he not?--here are some future handles for the Titans of ‘92, if and when:

Phil (Seventh) Nevin; Jason (Bicuspids and) Moler; Dan (Chocolate) Naulty; Steve Sisco (Kid); Jeremy (You Can Drive My) Carr; (A.C.) D.C. Olsen; Frank (Babe) Herman; Dante (Thurston) Powell (III); James (Don’t You Dare) Popoff; Paco Chavez (Ravine); Mike Parisi (In the Spring); Tony Banks (Are Closed on Friday); Derek (The Wizard of) Fahs; Craig Fairbrother (Can You Spare a Dime?); Chris (And Pitts) Powell.

And, the coaching staff:

Augie (Beef and Beans) Garrido; George Horton (Hears a Who); Rick Vanderhook (‘Em Horns); Bill Mosiello (Fever).