Consistent Play Helps Jones Take MVP Honors

It has been a mutual admiration society among the Cal State Fullerton players this season, and Sunday’s NCAA South Regional championship underlined it again.

Mark Kotsay has been the big name this season, but the Titan players were passing out high fives to shortstop Jack Jones Sunday after his selection as the tournament’s most valuable player.

Two weeks ago, catcher Brian Loyd was named MVP of the Big West tournament.

“This was really unexpected,” Jones said. “A lot of guys on this team deserve it. This whole tournament was a matter of teamwork.”

Coach Augie Garrido says that attitude is part of the reason for the success of this team, which is composed of role-players.

“Everyone on this club knows their role, and Jack does play a key one as the shortstop,” Garrido said. “And the shortstop on any team has to function at a very high level for the rest of the team to function effectively.

“That position, and Brian Loyd’s behind the plate are the two positions that must function very well or you just can’t be consistent.

“And I think everything Jack does on the field reflects his work ethic. One of the main reasons this team has become better toward the end is because of his improvement defensively and offensively . . . “

Garrido said Jones also has played a key role in helping Joe Fraser develop at second base.

“Even though Joe is a junior, and Jack is a sophomore, Jack played all last season as a freshman, and has shared all the information about our system with Jack and helped him that way,” Garrido said.

“He’s played a huge role, and the fact that he jumped out in this tournament was best expressed by Jack himself when he said that it was part of doing his job.”

Kotsay said team unity has been a special ingredient this season.

“All of the rewards for this team have come unexpectedly,” Kotsay said. “Jack didn’t expect to be MVP of this tournament, and Brian didn’t expect to be MVP in the Big West. All of our rewards have come through hard work and dedication, and I think that was shown this weekend. Everything we do, we do 100%.”

Jones, Kotsay, Fraser, Loyd and pitcher Ted Silva all were chosen to the all-tournament team.

Titan Notes

The Titans were patient with the Rice pitchers, who had control problems throughout the tournament. “I think the coaches did a good job of scouting Rice,” catcher Brian Loyd said. “They kept telling us not to swing at a bad pitch and get in a hole early. Sure enough, their pitchers had a hard time throwing strikes. Coach gave a lot of take signs.”