NCAA SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES : Garman, Titans Back on National Stage

No other college softball coach in the country can match her 985 victories.

But until recently, that fact was lost on Cal State Fullerton Coach Judi Garman, who is relieved to have guided the Titans to another appearance in the Women’s College World Series after a mind-boggling seven-year absence.

“I just couldn’t understand it. I was questioning myself, ‘Why? Why can’t I win [a regional],’ ” Garman said.

For the last seven seasons, Fullerton, a perennial top-20 team, finished as runner-up in the regional playoffs and was forced to be a spectator at the Series.

But consider Garman’s plight. Because of the school’s close proximity to surrounding powerhouses, Fullerton had to play regional championship games against UCLA in 1988 and ‘93, and Northridge in ’94. In each of those years, the team that Fullerton faced in the regionals either won the national title or finished as the runner-up.

“The NCAA has got to separate the good teams. It just isn’t right,” Garman said. “That’s why I want this so bad this year. We’ve got five seniors who have deserved to go since their freshman year.”

After the Titans’ last Series appearance in 1987, Garman took a seat in the bleachers. But two years ago, Garman, who has won 211 games at Golden West and 774 at Fullerton, decided she’d rather be absent altogether.

“The last two years I quit going, I canceled my tickets,” said Garman, who guided the Titans to a title in 1986.

But Garman finally scratched her seven-year itch last weekend when the Titans went undefeated in regional playoffs, edging Cal State Northridge, 2-1, in the championship game, and earning one of eight berths to the national championships.

Fifth-seeded Fullerton (45-15) will face Big West Conference rival and fourth-seeded Nevada Las Vegas (47-12) in a first-round game at 12:30 p.m. (PDT) today at Hall of Fame Stadium.