Horton Says Titans’ Future Looks Bright

Cal State Fullerton is going to miss the College World Series for the third consecutive year, but Coach George Horton is confident that the program is on the right track to get back to Omaha.

“I’ll be disappointed if we don’t win the national championship in the next three years,” Horton said Monday.

The Titans (47-17) had a good season, but the run ended in the South II Regional in Baton Rouge, La., with Fullerton beaten twice by host Louisiana State, the two-time defending national champion.

“I don’t think we were that far away,” Horton said. “If we score three more runs Saturday [against LSU], it might have been different. I don’t think there’s a glaring gap between our team and theirs. It’s just that last weekend LSU was an offensive machine.”

Fullerton lost the first game to the Tigers, 13-11. Then on Sunday, LSU won, 14-3, on six home runs, including an NCAA tournament-record five in one inning.

The pitching of seniors Benny Flores (12-0) and Erasmo Ramirez (11-5) was a strength for the Titans all season, but the staff will have to be rebuilt without them.

Greg Jacobs (4-4), who became the third starter, says he won’t make a decision on whether to sign a pro contract or return for his senior season until he evaluates his position in the amateur draft.

“We’d love to have him back,” Horton said. “He’s like two players.” Jacobs, who appeared mostly as the designated hitter, led the Titans in batting (.389).

The rest of the pitchers are expected to return. One of the keys will be freshman Jon Smith (2-0). He was a starter early in the season, but missed two months because of arm trouble. Pitching coach Dave Serrano says freshman Adam Johnson, the closer this season, might move into a starting role.

The stock of junior Ruben Jurado continued to go up after a good effort late in the LSU game Sunday. He gave up only two hits and no runs in the final 4 1/3 innings. “I could see where he would have a chance to be a starter next season,” Serrano said.

The Titans lose several top hitters. Pete Fukuhara (.383) and Steve Chatham (.362) are seniors, and junior Aaron Rowand (.372, with a team-leading 16 home runs) plans to sign a pro contract. He is expected to be drafted in the first four rounds. Junior first baseman Kevin Duck (.311) also is expected to sign. Third baseman Ryan Moore (.336 with 14 homers) says he will decide based on the draft. Outfielder Chris Beck (.361) is draft-eligible as a sophomore, but is expected to return.

Horton said he is pleased with the 10 players signed for next year, but at least two of them are likely to be offered attractive pro contracts. Horton remains hopeful, however, that pitcher Nick Neugebauer of Riverside Arlington High and catcher-third baseman Sean Bischofberger of El Cajon will play in college.

Fullerton lost two top high school recruits from San Diego last summer when outfielder Brett Caradonna signed with the Chicago White Sox and third baseman Justin Lehr signed with the Atlanta Braves.

“We feel good about the players we have back, and we think the ones who will be coming in are going to help us right away,” Horton said. “Each year there also is the potential of transfers.”