CS Fullerton Playing Host to Tournament

The second Anaheim Hilton & Towers Baseball Classic, scheduled today through Sunday at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Field, will bring together three of the nation’s top 30 teams.

Fullerton (11-2) and Texas (14-0) are ranked among the top 10 teams in the Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America polls.

Fullerton is ranked second, Texas fourth and Pepperdine (6-5) 27th by Collegiate Baseball. In Baseball America’s rankings, Texas is fifth, Fullerton seventh and Pepperdine 24th.

The fourth team, unranked Notre Dame, has not played.

“I’m real excited about this tournament this year,” Fullerton Coach Augie Garrido said. “Texas is unbeaten and obviously playing very well, and Pepperdine has been doing well lately. Even though Notre Dame may be an unknown quantity at this point, we know they’ll be a good team.”

Garrido has been ill with a sinus infection this week, but is expected back for the tournament.

Last year’s event included three of the four semifinalists in the College World Series. Oklahoma won the NCAA title over Georgia Tech, although Fullerton defeated both teams in the Anaheim Hilton & Towers event. Fullerton finished tied for third in the College World Series after losing to Georgia Tech in the semifinals.

“We want to have a strong field for this tournament every year,” Garrido said. Next year’s field is set with Florida State, Oklahoma and USC.

The tournament schedule:

Today--Fullerton vs. Pepperdine, 2:30 p.m.; Notre Dame vs. Texas, 7.

Saturday--Pepperdine vs. Texas, 2:30 p.m.; Fullerton vs. Notre Dame, 7.

Sunday--Notre Dame vs. Pepperdine, 12:30 p.m.; Fullerton vs. Texas, 5.