Titans Hope to Sweeten Postseason Deal : Baseball: Fullerton is in good shape, but successful Big West Tournament could strengthen seeding.

As expected, Cal State Fullerton was dominant in Big West Conference baseball, winning 18 of 21 games and the conference championship by two games over runner-up Long Beach State.

The 49ers, Nevada and Nevada Las Vegas will have another shot at the nation’s No. 1-ranked team in the inaugural Big West postseason tournament that begins today at Blair Field in Long Beach. The winner gains the conference’s automatic NCAA qualifying berth, but as many three teams could be picked for the field.

Fullerton, however, still casts the giant shadow. The Titans (46-9) finished the regular season this week with the program’s best winning percentage (.836).

Today’s first-round games match Fullerton against Nevada Las Vegas (32-19) at 3:05 p.m. and second-seeded Long Beach State (32-19-1) against Nevada (34-16) at 7:05. The title game for the double-elimination tournament is Sunday.

“It’s obvious that Fullerton is going to be in the NCAA tournament one way or another,” Long Beach State Coach Dave Snow said. “They have a great record playing one of the best schedules in the country.”

Long Beach State also has been impressive the last three weeks. The 49ers have an 11-game winning streak after nonconference victories this week over 17th-ranked Fresno State and Cal State Northridge and sweeping UNLV at home last weekend.

A successful tournament could be more important to Nevada or UNLV. Nevada was only 12-9 in the Big West, and UNLV was 11-10.

“We all have another chance to prove what we can do,” Nevada Coach Gary Powers said. “We lost a couple of tough games to Fullerton, and it was tough to rebound from that. But I think we have the ability to play as well in this tournament as anyone.”

Powers said he believes all four teams are deserving of an NCAA bid. “I certainly think we deserve at least three teams in the regionals, which is what we had a year ago,” said Powers, whose team advanced last season.

Coach Augie Garrido says the tournament also is important to his Titans, primarily to keep momentum and strengthen the team’s seeding for the NCAA playoffs.

“It’s also the first postseason tournament in our conference, and one with a high level of competition, so it’s important to us for that reason as well,” Garrido said. “We want to be able to use this time to develop in the areas where we still need work, and get focused again.”

The Titans lead the conference in hitting (.332), pitching (3.45 earned-run average) and fielding (.968).

Sophomore outfielder Mark Kotsay, a leading candidate for college baseball’s player-of-the-year award, ranks No. 1 in all the major individual offensive categories. Kotsay is hitting .425 with 74 runs batted in and 17 home runs, two of them grand slams. He has struck out only 10 times.

Fullerton also has three of the league’s top pitchers in Ted Silva (13-1), Tim Dixon (10-0) and Jon Ward (7-3). Kotsay also has been the Titans’ top reliever with nine saves.

Long Beach counters with strong pitching, led by Scott Rivette, 8-4 with a 2.80 ERA, and Kyle Wilson, 10-2 with a 3.01 ERA.

“Long Beach has played especially well coming down the stretch, but Fullerton has the complete package . . . hitting, pitching and defense,” UNLV Coach Fred Dallimore said. “They’re the cream of the crop in our conference, but we’re excited about having a chance to play them again.”

UNLV will send its top pitcher, Nate Yeskie (11-3, 3.72 ERA), against Fullerton in the opener.

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Picking a Champion

The first Big West Conference baseball tournament will start today at Blair Field in Long Beach. The winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Tournament. A look at the Big West:

Schedule: Today, 3:05 and 7:05 p.m.; Saturday, 11:05 a.m., 3:05 and 7:35 p.m.; Sunday, 1:05 and 5:05 p.m.

Teams: Top four during regular season--Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, Nevada and Nevada Las Vegas

Format: Double elimination; team seedings based on regular-season standings

Tickets: $9-28 for entire tournament; $3-$7 for single game

About Blair Field

Named for former Long Beach press-Telegram Sports Editor Frank Blair, the field is considered a pitcher’s park because of its deep dimensions. More about it:

Seating Capacity: 3,650

Parking: Limited, but will be expanded

Grass: Hybrid Bermuda

Outfield wall: 8-9 feet high, unpadded brick

History: Stadium opened in 1958 as part of effort to lure a minor league team to Long Beach. That effort failed when the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles the same year. Underwent $1.4-million renovation in 1992. Has played host to Chicago Cubs spring training, in 1966, and MTV “Rock and Jock” softball game.

* Sources: City of Long Beach, Long Beach State University; Researched by APRIL JACKSON / Los Angeles Times