Team Depth Gives Garrido Plenty of Options

Depth is one of the strengths of the top-ranked Cal State Fullerton baseball team.

Shortstop Jack Jones remained out because of a strained hamstring in the weekend series against Nevada Las Vegas, but the Titans have been able to adjust without his .354 batting average and smooth fielding.

The key has been the play of sophomore Mike Lamb and junior Jerome Alviso. With Jones out, Alviso moved to shortstop, and Lamb took over at second base.

“Their offensive and defensive performances have really been significant recently,” Titan Coach Augie Garrido said.

Garrido was especially pleased with Alviso’s play at shortstop in the three-game sweep of the Rebels. “He’s moved over and handled that role at an above-average level the whole time Jack has been out,” Garrido said.

Alviso also has picked up the pace on offense in the past two weeks, raising his batting average to .347.

Lamb is one of the team’s most versatile players. He started the season at catcher when Brian Loyd was recovering from a preseason injury to his throwing arm. Lamb also is the backup third baseman, and could play first if needed. His ability as a switch hitter adds to his value.

“It had been a while since I’d played second base, but I played there when I was younger,” Lamb said. “It’s just a matter of getting some games under my belt there. I’m happy to be playing every day. It gives me a chance to relax and go to work, instead of pressing to try to stay in the lineup.”

Lamb had four hits Sunday, along with four runs batted in, to lift his average to .374. He has 16 hits in his last 31 at-bats (.516).

Jones is expected back for the three-game series at New Mexico State, which begins Thursday. “He’s running fine now,” trainer Chris Mumaw said, “but we’ve wanted to be sure he’s 100% before going all-out on it again.”

The return to full strength of outfielder Skip Kiil after a wrist injury also has strengthened the Titans. Kiil has shared time in left field with Steve Chatham.

“Kiil has been adding a good element to the lineup with his speed,” Garrido said. Kiil also provides additional right-handed power to a batting order that is heavy with strength on the other side with left-handers Mark Kotsay, Jeremy Giambi and C.J. Ankrum. Kiil has been leading off, giving the Titans speed and power in the spot similar to what Tony Miranda provided last season.

When Kill is in left, either Chatham or Scott Seal, each hitting over .340, can be the designated hitter. Alviso or Lamb also would be available, depending on the starter at second when Jones returns.

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The Big West Challenge Cup track meet is scheduled for Saturday at UC Santa Barbara with Fullerton joining Long Beach State, UC Irvine and the host team.

Coach John Elders hopes the Titans will do well, though he thinks Long Beach has the top men’s team, and Irvine will be favored among the women’s teams.

Elders has been especially pleased with the performances of the Titan women distance runners. Erin Remy and Sarah MacDougall lead the way. Remy is ranked second and MacDougall third in the Big West in the 5,000 meters. Each is in the top five in the 3,000.

Elders expects Julie Petrilla and Casie Lozano to do well in the sprints. “Casie seems to be over her back strain, and we think she’ll be at 100% this weekend,” Elders said.

Basketball player Dee Braxton made her first appearance as a shotputter Saturday. “We think she’ll break the school record the next time out,” Elders said. The record is 37-11 1/4. Braxton threw 36-8 1/2.

Elders said volleyball player Andrea Bill will throw the discus and javelin when she joins the team next week.

Among the men, Elders has been especially pleased with the performances of sprinter Obi Obadike, who set school records in the 100 and 200 last weekend. “He’s ranked fourth in the conference in both events,” Elders said.

Titan Notes

Three members of the gymnastics team--Cristi Clifford, Christy Lutz and Michelle Lotta--are on the Big West All-Academic team. Basketball players Shayla Bradshaw and Dirk Rassloff also were chosen. . . . The tennis team won matches against Santa Clara and UC San Diego to improve its record to 6-13 for the season. The Titans play at Cal State Northridge today and are home against UC Irvine April 18. They will compete in the Big West Championships, April 24-27 at Ojai. . . . The Titan Invitational track meet will be renamed in honor of Ben Brown, the former UCLA track star and Titan assistant coach who was killed in an auto accident earlier this year.