COLLEGE WORLD SERIES : Winning Streak Has Been a Welcome Surprise for Titans

One by one, they’ve added up to 17 consecutive victories.

And now top-ranked Cal State Fullerton (56-9) is on the threshold of winning its third national baseball championship, something only five other teams have done.

The Titans face USC at 10:05 a.m. (PDT) today in Rosenblatt Stadium in the title game of College World Series. “The window of opportunity that was closed at the start of the season is now wide open for us,” Fullerton Coach Augie Garrido said.

The streak, like a breath of fresh air that rolled in for the Titans, has assured that.

It began in late April and continued through the end of the regular season. But it wasn’t until the three consecutive victories in the Big West Conference postseason tournament that Garrido decided that this might be a special season.

“Our players didn’t give away a base to an opponent in those three games,” Garrido said Friday. “We got every out that was available to us, and that’s very hard to do. That’s when I really thought it began to take shape.”

Four more victories followed in the NCAA South Regional at Louisiana State, but Garrido said he could sense then the team starting to feel pressure to win for the first time this season.

“At that point, they were just trying too hard,” Garrido said. “But they’ve learned from that and now they’ve been playing here more like they did in the conference championships.

“There were times at LSU when we not only easily could have lost games, but there were games that we probably should have lost based on logic and mathematical odds. But we didn’t.

“What about when Rice walks out and puts five runs on the board in the first inning? But at the end of the first inning, they were three runs behind because our players scored eight.”

Garrido said his team has been more relaxed in its three games in the College World Series.

“But now we have another chance to try too hard again because this is for it all,” Garrido said.

Garrido says two factors have been at work during the streak: consistency on defense, and added offensive strength from the bottom four spots in the batting order.

“That’s the thing that has held true lately,” he said.

And that all revolves around the Titan infield of D.C. Olsen at first, Joe Fraser at second, Jack Jones at shortstop and Tony Martinez at third base. They normally bat sixth through ninth in the order.

Fraser is hitting .349, Olsen .308, Martinez .291 and Jones .283.

Even though they bat in the two bottom spots in the order, Jones has 41 runs batted in and Martinez 39.

“I think the big thing is that we just go out and play the game now,” said Martinez, who hit .467 in the regional with two home runs, then belted his third postseason homer of Thursday against Tennessee.

“We just try to play nine innings of hard baseball, and don’t worry about anything else. That’s what Skip [Garrido] tells us to do. He tells to play the game and then throw it away when it’s finished, not to dwell on it.”

Jones agrees.

“I think everyone has had a great attitude,” Jones said, “and we’ve been playing some awesome defense.” Fullerton has made only six errors in the last 15 games.

Jones said the experience of playing together has been part of the continuing improvement of the infield. Martinez and Fraser are new to the team this season, junior transfers from other schools.

“I think we’ve been at our peak as an infield since we started tournament play,” Jones said. “It’s taken some time for all of us to get the experience together, but now we have it. I feel a lot more comfortable with Joe as my double-play partner than I did earlier in the season.”

The pitching also has been solid throughout the stretch run and the Titans will go into today’s game with All-American right-hander Ted Silva, 17-1 for the season with a 2.85 earned-run average, scheduled to start.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

The Titans’ Season

A game-by-game record of Cal State Fullerton’s 1995 baseball season: DATE: Jan. 31 OPPONENT: CAL POLY POMONA W/L: W SCORE: 7-1 PITCHER: Silva (1-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Silva gives up 7 hits in 8 innings RECORD: 1-0

*DATE: Feb. 3 OPPONENT: STANFORD W/L: W SCORE: 11-9 PITCHER: Dillon (1-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Titans rally for 4 runs in eighth RECORD: 2-0

*DATE: Feb. 4 OPPONENT: STANFORD W/L: L SCORE: 11-10 PITCHER: Chavez (0-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Stanford wins on 4-run rally in ninth RECORD: 2-1

*DATE: Feb. 5 OPPONENT: STANFORD W/L: W SCORE: 5-3 PITCHER: Silva (2-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Olsen leads way with home run, 2-run double RECORD: 3-1

*DATE: Feb. 7 OPPONENT: at UCLA W/L: W SCORE: 6-2 PITCHER: Mitchell (1-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Five pitchers combine for a 6-hitter RECORD: 4-1

*DATE: Feb. 9 OPPONENT: at Arizona W/L: W SCORE: 10-2 PITCHER: Ward (1-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Fraser and Kotsay hit home runs, Olsen has 3 hits RECORD: 5-1

*DATE: Feb. 10 OPPONENT: at Arizona W/L: W SCORE: 10-2 PITCHER: Dixon (1-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Matos’ grand slam sparks 6-run fourth inning RECORD: 6-1

*DATE: Feb. 12 OPPONENT: at Arizona W/L: W SCORE: 6-1 PITCHER: Silva (3-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Silva pitches 7-hitter, Kotsay has 4 hits RECORD: 7-1

*DATE: Feb. 15 OPPONENT: SAN DIEGO STATE W/L: W SCORE: 3-2 PITCHER: Mitchell (2-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Winning run scores on passed ball in fifth RECORD: 8-1

*DATE: Feb. 17 OPPONENT: at Fresno State W/L: L SCORE: 6-3 PITCHER: Ward (1-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Titans strand 12 base runners RECORD: 8-2

*DATE: Feb. 18 OPPONENT: at Fresno State W/L: W SCORE: 4-3 PITCHER: Dixon (2-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Loyd has 4 hits, Titans score 3 in fourth RECORD: 9-2

*DATE: Feb. 19 OPPONENT: at Fresno State W/L: W SCORE: 7-3 PITCHER: Silva (4-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Silva fans 12, Titans win with 4 in eighth RECORD: 10-2

*DATE: Feb. 21 OPPONENT: USC W/L: W SCORE: 10-9 PITCHER: Dillon (2-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Kotsay drive in 4, saves run with diving catch RECORD: 11-2

*DATE: Feb. 24 OPPONENT: PEPPERDINE W/L: W SCORE: 7-3 PITCHER: Dixon (3-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Olsen and Loyd hit home runs RECORD: 12-2

*DATE: Feb. 25 OPPONENT: NOTRE DAME W/L: W SCORE: 20-3 PITCHER: Ward (2-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Olsen hits grand slam, Miranda hits 3-run home run RECORD: 13-2

*DATE: Feb. 26 OPPONENT: TEXAS W/L: W SCORE: 14-6 PITCHER: Silva (5-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Olsen hits two home runs, named tournament MVP RECORD: 14-2

*DATE: March 1 OPPONENT: CS NORTHRIDGE W/L: W SCORE: 5-3 PITCHER: Chavez (1-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Giambi’s 2-run double breaks tie in seventh RECORD: 15-2

*DATE: March 3 OPPONENT: at Texas W/L: L SCORE: 2-1 PITCHER: Ward (2-2) HIGHLIGHTS: Titans held to 2 hits RECORD: 15-3

*DATE: March 4 OPPONENT: at Texas W/L: W SCORE: 17-3 PITCHER: Dixon (4-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Kotsay’s 2 home runs lead 15-hit attack RECORD: 16-3

*DATE: March 5 OPPONENT: at Texas W/L: W SCORE: 6-4 PITCHER: Silva (6-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Miranda and Giambi each drive in 2 runs RECORD: 17-3

*DATE: March 8 OPPONENT: at Pepperdine W/L: W SCORE: 6-3 PITCHER: Dillon (3-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Matos hits 3-run double in fifth RECORD: 18-3

*DATE: March 10 OPPONENT: GONZAGA W/L: W SCORE: 8-6 PITCHER: Ward (3-2) HIGHLIGHTS: Silva snuffs Gonzaga’s 3-run rally in ninth RECORD: 19-3

*DATE: March 12 OPPONENT: GONZAGA W/L: W SCORE: 7-2 PITCHER: Dixon (5-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Kotsay has 3 RBIs, Hernandez has 2-run double RECORD: 20-3

*DATE: March 15 OPPONENT: at Loyola Marymount W/L: W SCORE: 18-1 PITCHER: Silva (7-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Kotsay has 3 hits, 7 RBIs RECORD: 21-3

*DATE: March 18 OPPONENT: CAL POLY SLO W/L: W SCORE: 8-3 PITCHER: Dixon (6-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Dixon strikes out 9 in 7 innings RECORD: 22-3

*DATE: March 19 OPPONENT: CAL POLY SLO W/L: W SCORE: 12-3 PITCHER: Silva (8-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Loyd drives in 4 runs with 3 hits RECORD: 23-3

*DATE: March 20 OPPONENT: CAL POLY SLO W/L: W SCORE: 15-1 PITCHER: Ward (4-2) HIGHLIGHTS: Kotsay’s 4 RBIs lead 17-hit attack RECORD: 24-3

*DATE: March 24 OPPONENT: SAN JOSE STATE W/L: W SCORE: 11-1 PITCHER: Ward (5-2) HIGHLIGHTS: Titans take advantage of 5 San Jose errors RECORD: 25-3

*DATE: March 25 OPPONENT: SAN JOSE STATE W/L: W SCORE: 17-1 PITCHER: Dixon (7-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Dixon strikes out 12 in 8 innings RECORD: 26-3

*DATE: March 26 OPPONENT: SAN JOSE STATE W/L: L SCORE: 6-3 PITCHER: Silva (8-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Titans make 5 errors, win streak ends at 11 RECORD: 26-4

*DATE: March 28 OPPONENT: at USC W/L: L SCORE: 7-4 PITCHER: Dillon (3-1) HIGHLIGHTS: USC comes from behind with 5 runs in sixth RECORD: 26-5

*DATE: March 31 OPPONENT: at UC Santa Barbara W/L: W SCORE: 9-6 PITCHER: Mitchell (3-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Titans score 5 in seventh to break tie RECORD: 27-5

*DATE: April 1 OPPONENT: at UC Santa Barbara W/L: W SCORE: 10-8 PITCHER: Kotsay (1-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Titans score 2 in 10th to win RECORD: 28-5

*DATE: April 2 OPPONENT: at UC Santa Barbara W/L: W SCORE: 7-5 PITCHER: Silva (9-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Ankrum’s home run sparks winning rally RECORD: 29-5

*DATE: April 7 OPPONENT: LOYOLA MARYMOUNT W/L: W SCORE: 14-5 PITCHER: Hollibaugh (1-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Jones’ 3 RBIs pace 17-hit attack RECORD: 30-5

*DATE: April 7 OPPONENT: LONG BEACH STATE W/L: L SCORE: 8-1 PITCHER: Ward (5-3) HIGHLIGHTS: Titans held to 6 hits RECORD: 30-6

*DATE: April 8 OPPONENT: LONG BEACH STATE W/L: W SCORE: 6-5 PITCHER: Kotsay (2-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Olsen doubles home winning run in 12th RECORD: 31-6

*DATE: April 9 OPPONENT: LONG BEACH STATE W/L: W SCORE: 5-4 PITCHER: Chavez (2-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Matos drives in winning run in ninth RECORD: 32-6

*DATE: April 13 OPPONENT: at Nevada Las Vegas W/L: W SCORE: 8-7 PITCHER: Chavez (3-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Martinez drives in winning run in ninth RECORD: 33-6

*DATE: April 14 OPPONENT: at Nevada Las Vegas W/L: W SCORE: 9-4 PITCHER: Dixon (8-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Matos has 3 RBIs, Kotsay and Loyd 2 each RECORD: 34-6

*DATE: April 15 OPPONENT: at Nevada Las Vegas W/L: W SCORE: 18-4 PITCHER: Silva (10-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Martinez 6 RBIs lead 17-hit attack RECORD: 35-6

*DATE: April 19 OPPONENT: PEPPERDINE W/L: W SCORE: 6-5 PITCHER: Hollibaugh (2-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Kotsay drive in 3 runs, picks up save RECORD: 36-6

*DATE: April 21 OPPONENT: PACIFIC W/L: W SCORE: 2-1 PITCHER: Ward (6-3) HIGHLIGHTS: Ward gives up 5 hits in eight innings RECORD: 37-6

*DATE: April 22 OPPONENT: PACIFIC W/L: W SCORE: 9-5 PITCHER: Dixon (9-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Olsen has 3 hits and 3 RBIs RECORD: 38-6

*DATE: April 23 OPPONENT: PACIFIC W/L: W SCORE: 5-0 PITCHER: Silva (11-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Silva pitches no-hitter, striking out 11 RECORD: 39-6

*DATE: April 25 OPPONENT: at Wichita State W/L: L SCORE: 8-7 PITCHER: Hollibaugh (2-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Matos, Olsen, Kotsay hit home runs RECORD: 39-7

*DATE: April 26 OPPONENT: at Wichita State W/L: L SCORE: 4-3 PITCHER: Kotsay (2-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Titans lose after scoring 2 in ninth to tie RECORD: 39-8

*DATE: April 28 OPPONENT: at Nevada W/L: L SCORE: 10-8 PITCHER: Chavez (3-2) HIGHLIGHTS: Trailing, 7-0, Titans rally to tie before losing RECORD: 39-9

*DATE: April 29 OPPONENT: at Nevada W/L: W SCORE: 5-4 PITCHER: Dixon (10-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Titans hit 3 home runs, end 3-game losing streak RECORD: 40-9

*DATE: April 30 OPPONENT: at Nevada W/L: W SCORE: 9-5 PITCHER: Silva (12-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Titans score 4 in the fifth, 4 in the seventh RECORD: 41-9

*DATE: May 3 OPPONENT: at CS Northridge W/L: W SCORE: 12-11 PITCHER: Hild (1-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Garrido injures Achilles’ tendon before game RECORD: 42-9

*DATE: May 5 OPPONENT: NEW MEXICO STATE W/L: W SCORE: 4-1 PITCHER: Ward (7-3) HIGHLIGHTS: Miranda drives in 2 runs with home run, double RECORD: 43-9

*DATE: May 6 OPPONENT: NEW MEXICO STATE W/L: W SCORE: 25-7 PITCHER: Hild (2-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Titans get 24 hits, clinch Big West title RECORD: 44-9

*DATE: May 7 OPPONENT: NEW MEXICO STATE W/L: W SCORE: 7-0 PITCHER: Silva (13-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Silva and Chavez combine on 4-hitter RECORD: 45-9

*DATE: May 9 OPPONENT: at San Diego W/L: W SCORE: 5-1 PITCHER: Dixon (11-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Kotsay’s grand slam sparks 5-run fifth RECORD: 46-9 *DATE: May 12 OPPONENT: Nevada Las Vegas** W/L: W SCORE: 12-1 PITCHER: Ward (8-3) HIGHLIGHTS: Ward’s 4-hit pitching backed by 4 home runs RECORD: 47-9

*DATE: May 13 OPPONENT: Nevada** W/L: W SCORE: 6-4 PITCHER: Silva (14-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Silva and Chavez combine on 5-hitter RECORD: 48-9

*DATE: May 14 OPPONENT: at Long Beach State** W/L: W SCORE: 8-4 PITCHER: Dixon (12-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Olsen’s grand slam sparks 5-run seventh RECORD: 49-9

*DATE: May 25 OPPONENT: Northeast Louisiana*** W/L: W SCORE: 7-6 PITCHER: Silva (15-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Winning run scores on error in ninth RECORD: 50-9

*DATE: May 26 OPPONENT: James Madison*** W/L: W SCORE: 9-1 PITCHER: Ward (9-3) HIGHLIGHTS: Miranda has 4 of Titans’ 16 hits RECORD: 51-9

*DATE: May 28 OPPONENT: Rice*** W/L: W SCORE: 17-7 PITCHER: Silva (16-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Martinez hits 2 of Titans’ 5 home runs RECORD: 52-9

*DATE: May 28 OPPONENT: Rice*** W/L: W SCORE: 8-7 PITCHER: Chavez (4-2) HIGHLIGHTS: Lamb’s sacrifice fly in ninth brings home winning run RECORD: 53-9

*DATE: June 3 OPPONENT: Stanford**** W/L: W SCORE: 6-5 PITCHER: Silva (17-1) HIGHLIGHTS: Titans score 3 in seventh to break tie RECORD: 54-9

*DATE: June 5 OPPONENT: Tennessee**** W/L: W SCORE: 11-1 PITCHER: Ward (10-3) HIGHLIGHTS: Kotsay’s grand slam breaks game open RECORD: 55-9

*DATE: June 8 OPPONENT: Tennessee**** W/L: W SCORE: 11-0 PITCHER: Dixon (13-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Loyd’s grand slam sparks 7-run first RECORD: 56-9

* Anaheim Hilton and Towers Classic at Cal State Fullerton.

** Big West Tournament at Long Beach State.

*** NCAA South Regional at LSU.

**** College World Series at Omaha.