Rain Delay Could Work Against Fullerton

Florida State Coach Mike Martin says he has no doubt about Cal State Fullerton’s potential in the College World Series.

“They can win the national championship,” Martin said. “They’re that good.”

That’s why Martin thinks the decision on his starting pitcher for today’s elimination game (4:30 p.m., PDT, ESPN 2) against the Titans is so important.

Martin had decided late Monday that he would give reliever Chris Chavez (7-5, 2.20 earned-run average) his third start of the season. But then the rain came Tuesday, delaying the game a day and giving Martin the option of bringing back his No. 1 starter, Nick Stocks (12-2, 3.21).

Stocks and Chavez, both right-handers, pitched in the Seminoles’ 7-3 first-round victory over Texas A&M; on Saturday. Stocks gave up three runs and seven hits in four innings, but Chavez held the Aggies to one hit and no runs over the final five innings. “Stocks could probably go now, but we haven’t used him before on three days’ rest,” Martin said, indicating that he would probably go with Chavez.

Fullerton Coach George Horton said the one-day delay would have no effect on his pitching choice. Sophomore left-hander Jon Smith (7-0, 2.71) is rested and scheduled to start.

Smith, troubled by arm and shoulder soreness earlier, returned to form with a solid effort against Ohio State in the super-regional. Smith gave up six hits and three runs in 7 1/3 innings, earning a victory Fullerton needed to survive after losing the series opener.

The Rice-Alabama game also was postponed because of rain. It will be played today at 12:30 p.m.