NCAA COLLEGE BASEBALL REGIONALS : Martinez Helps Cal State Fullerton Punch Up Bottom of Batting Order

Talk about run production from the bottom of the batting order. In Saturday’s 17-7 victory over Rice in the NCAA South Regional baseball tournament, Cal State Fullerton got 10 runs batted in from its seventh, eight and ninth hitters.

The Titans’ No. 9 hitter, third baseman Tony Martinez, led the way with six RBIs on two three-run homers.

“I’m not sure I ever had two home runs in a game before, though maybe I did in high school,” said Martinez, who played at Fullerton High. “I’ve just been trying to relax, and not think about it as much, and not put a lot of pressure on myself.”

Although there were indications the umpire was calling a tight strike zone, Martinez said he didn’t think it had any impact on him.

“I tried not to let that affect me because if you start looking for a tight zone you end up taking pitches that you should be swinging at,” he said. “I knew it was a tight zone, but I just tried to look for pitches that I felt I could hit well, and I was able to drive a couple.”

Martinez has been more known for his defensive play but is trying to be more consistent on offense. He went into the day with the lowest batting average among the regulars at .281.

“I’ve been up and down this season both ways,” he said. “I’ve just tried to do my job and not feel like I have to do too much.”

Martinez played for two years at Porterville College after graduating from Fullerton High. “I was two days away from signing with Fresno State,” Marinez said. Rick Vanderhook, Fullerton assistant coach in charge of recruiting, called Martinez just in time.

“He asked me how I’d feel about coming to Fullerton.” he said. “At first I was kind of skeptical because Fresno had been behind me the whole way, but it really sounded good to be able to come home, be with my family again and finish out my college career playing in my back yard. Really, you can’t ask for a better thing. I think it’s been a good decision for me.”

Martinez has enjoyed being in an infield with shortstop Jack Jones, second baseman Joe Fraser and first baseman D.C. Olsen.

“Jack is really good,” Martinez said. “He’s the best shortstop I’ve ever played with. He makes some amazing plays and can stop at a glance. He’s an outstanding shortstop. The others all do a great job too.”

Martinez is pleased that the infield has been having an impact offensively. Olsen, Fraser, Jones and Martinez have been batting in the No. 6 through No. 9 spots in the order.

“I think our lineup is pretty solid from top to bottom,” Martinez said. And after two home runs from the No. 9 hitter Saturday, who could argue? Certainly not Rice.