Tournament Format to Test Skills of Titan Pitching Staff : South regional: Possibility of five games in four days concerns Cal State Fullerton coach Horton.

An NCAA regional tournament is potentially the toughest test for a college pitching staff, with the possibility of five games in four days.

That’s what makes Cal State Fullerton pitching coach George Horton a little uneasy going into the NCAA South Regional.

Fullerton, the nation’s top-ranked team with a 49-9 record, plays Northeast Louisiana (37-18) in the opening game at 9 a.m. (PDT) today.

Even the College World Series is less demanding, with more time between games and eight teams in the field instead of six in the regionals.

A year ago, when the Titans went to the Midwest Regional at Oklahoma State, they had four proven starters with Dan Ricabal, Mike Parisi, Chad Rolish and Matt Wagner.

This season there are only three--Ted Silva (14-1), Tim Dixon (12-0) and Jon Ward (8-3). Given that, Horton and Coach Augie Garrido have been considering various rotations.

Silva, with a 2.51 earned-run average and a nine-inning no-hitter this season, clearly has established himself as the team’s strongest and most consistent pitcher. Horton had considered starting Silva today, so he would be available Sunday in the championship round.

However, Horton said Wednesday the plan is to start Dixon today, Ward in the second game and have Silva rested and ready for a potential meeting with second-seeded and host Louisiana State (45-16) on Saturday.

LSU is regarded as one of the stronger second-seeded teams in the 48-team NCAA field. The Tigers finished second in the Southeastern Conference Western Division tournament, defeating fifth-ranked Auburn but losing to 17th-ranked Alabama for the division title.

The Tigers won national championships in 1991 and 1993, and also reached the World Series last year before being eliminated by Fullerton.

“Our thinking is that we’d rather have our top pitcher going against the home team in front of the big crowd while their pitching still would be fresh too,” Horton said.

In that scenario, Silva also could pitch in late-inning relief if needed in one of the first two games, or in the championship round on Sunday.

“But whatever we do, we’re not going to take any chances on getting anyone hurt,” Horton said.

Silva has been bothered by a strained muscle in his back recently. “I’m fine now though,” he said.

Another factor in Fullerton’s favor is the strong relief pitching recently by Mark Chavez, a transfer from Los Angeles Harbor College who is 3-2 with a 2.14 ERA and six saves.

“Mark is the unsung hero of this pitching staff right now,” Horton said. “He’s become the prototype set-up guy, the middle-inning reliever. He’s preserved some games for us that he didn’t get credit for saves on too.

“He was knocked around early in the season, and it took him a little time to settle in, but since then he’s been fine. He just needed to establish in his own mind that he could do it at this level.”

Horton said he is now more likely to stay with Chavez in the late innings, although outfielder Mark Kotsay has come in frequently as the closer.

Horton said Kotsay isn’t being considered as a possible starter. In addition to leading the Titans in hitting (.422), home runs (18) and runs batted in (75), Kotsay has an 0.38 ERA, nine saves and a 2-1 record as a pitcher.

“I don’t believe he’s developed the arm endurance now to be considered as a starter,” Horton said. “He does a great job in the role he’s in.”

Horton said Chavez might be considered a starter if needed late in the tournament.

“If it goes to a fifth game, we’ll probably just ask who feels the best and give them the ball,” Horton said. “Ward also could come back with only one day’s rest and go for a while anyway. He’s strong physically.”

Horton said Dixon, the only left-hander among the three top pitchers, also could bounce back to start again later in the tournament if needed.

“He hasn’t been fantastic, but he’s found a way to win 12 games without losing any,” Horton said. “He’s given up some runs, but we seem to score a lot of runs when he pitches.”

In today’s other games, Rice (40-17) plays James Madison (42-15) and LSU plays Central Michigan (40-17).