4 Titans Arrested, Suspended for NCAA Baseball Series

Four players on Cal State Fullerton’s nationally prominent baseball team, including two of three starting pitchers in last week’s NCAA regional, were arrested after an incident in South Bend, Ind., and have been suspended by Coach George Horton for the super-regional this weekend at Ohio State.

Horton said the four players--pitchers Adam Johnson and Marco Hanlon, second baseman David Bacani and utility infielder Chad Olszanski--were arrested after an alleged rock-throwing incident late Sunday night in South Bend, Ind.

“Being arrested is a violation of our team rules, so we’re sending them back home,” Horton said Tuesday.

The players were charged with criminal trespass and criminal recklessness, according to a report Tuesday in the South Bend Tribune. Johnson, Hanlon and Olszanski also were charged with public intoxication.

According to the report, police were called about 11:30 p.m. to a restaurant in downtown South Bend, near the hotel where the team was staying. The owner complained that four men were throwing rocks from the roof at pedestrians below. According to the report, there were no injuries.

Johnson, a sophomore with a 10-3 record and 3.22 earned-run average, was named the outstanding player at the Notre Dame regional after pitching an eight-hit, complete game in Fullerton’s 6-3 victory over the Fighting Irish. Hanlon (6-1, 4.11 ERA) was the winning pitcher in a 9-4 victory over Michigan Sunday that gave the Titans the regional championship.

Bacani, batting .335, has been the Titans’ regular second baseman for two seasons. Olszanski, batting .267, has played mainly in the late innings as a defensive specialist.

“They’re devastated,” Horton said. “They said they had no intention of hitting anyone, and they said they didn’t. It’s unfortunate because they’re not that kind of kids. It doesn’t represent the type of people they are. We believe in them as young men, but I’m comfortable that this is the right thing for me to do.”

Horton said he told the suspended players to inform their teammates of the decision, and he planned to discuss it with the other players today.

Horton said the suspensions were for an indefinite period, and said no decision had been made about the players’ status should the Titans reach the College World Series.

The best-of-three series that will decide one of eight berths in Omaha begins on Friday, and Horton said he plans to pitch sophomore Matt Sorensen (11-0, 4.20 ERA) in the first game.

Sophomore left-hander Jon Smith (6-0, 2.59), who has been troubled by soreness on his left side late in the season, is scheduled to pitch the second game. Smith was available to pitch in last weekend’s regional, but pitching coach Dave Serrano decided to go with Hanlon. Horton said no decision has been made on a starter for a possible third game.

Smith hasn’t pitched more than two innings in a game since April 10. “I haven’t had any pain when I’ve thrown lately, so I think I’m ready,” Smith said Tuesday. “I might not have my best fastball I had early in the year, but I think I can still pitch effectively.”

Horton said he would shuffle the infield to replace Bacani. Freshman Shawn Norris will move from shortstop to second base, with Ryan Owens going from third base to shortstop. Freshman Sean Bischofberger will start at third.

Horton said four players not on the original roster will join the team. They includes pitchers Michael Garner and Jason Westemeir.

Third baseman Ryan Moore, a starter last season at third base who missed most of the season because of a broken arm, has been cleared to play and also will join the team Thursday in Columbus. Horton said he also will add redshirt freshman Sean Martin to the roster. Martin can play in the infield or pitch.

* DIANE PUCIN: It’s evident the NCAA doesn’t respect Cal State Fullerton, but what’s it going to take? Page 10