Titans Planning Return Trip

“See you next year.”

Those were Cal State Fullerton Coach George Horton’s final words to the media at the College World Series press conference Wednesday night at Rosenblatt Stadium after his team was eliminated by Florida State.

With four top pitchers back, Horton is optimistic the Titans, who finished 50-14, will be capable of returning to the College World Series next season.

“A lot of good things always have to happen to get to the World Series, but we have a good opportunity to have another successful year,” Horton said Thursday. “I like our chances.”

Horton probably will have to replace several top hitters expected to sign professional contracts, but others are due back, along with most of the pitching staff that posted a 4.44 earned-run average.

The strength of next year’s team will be starting pitchers Adam Johnson (10-4, 3.55 earned-run average), Matt Sorensen (12-0, 4.14), Jon Smith (7-1, 3.16) and closer Kirk Saarloos (7-3, 3.63, seven saves). All are sophomores.

Four of the team’s top hitters, all juniors, were drafted. Third baseman Ryan Owens, who led the team in home runs (23) and runs batted in (85), is expected to sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who drafted him in the seventh round. First baseman Chris Beck, the team’s leading hitter with a .408 average, has indicated he will probably sign with the St. Louis Cardinals, who chose him in the 19th round.

Center fielder Reed Johnson, who batted .396 and became the first Big West Conference player to get more than 100 hits and score more than 100 runs in the same season, is leaning toward signing with Toronto, which drafted him in the 17th round. He led the Titans in hitting in the College World Series with a .364 average. “I’m 22 now and my clock is ticking, so I probably should get started with my pro career,” Johnson said.

Outfielder Spencer Oborn, who was disappointed by his draft position (14th round by the White Sox), has said he plans to keep open his option of returning. Oborn finished with a .395 batting average and was second on the team in RBIs (82) and homers (14).

“We plan to talk with all the players who were drafted when we get home,” Horton said. “I think we’ll have a chance to get Spencer back.”

Catcher Craig Patterson (.286), drafted by Minnesota in the 25th round, already has said he plans to return for his senior season.

Two other regulars--outfielder Robert Guzman (.291) and shortstop Shawn Norris (.286)--are freshmen, and All-Big West second baseman David Bacani (.331) is a sophomore.

Horton expects sophomore designated hitter Aaron Rifkin (.378, 47 RBIs) to be ready to play first base next season, as Beck’s potential replacement, and freshman Sean Bischofberger (.224) will be a candidate to replace Owens at third or move to first.

Horton also expects freshman Chris Stringfellow (.313) to be capable of winning a regular job in the outfield after platooning at times in right field this season.

“We’ll have a good outfield,” said Horton, who is also optimistic about the potential of recruit Matt Belfanti of Mendocino Community College.

Horton and pitching coach Dave Serrano said the pitching staff should have more depth next season.

The Titans will add recruits Mike Nunez of San Jose College, Ron Corona and Jake Moon of Cypress College and Nick Lovato of Mater Dei. The Titans also have signed top prospect Brian Wolfe of Servite, but Horton is concerned he might sign a pro contract. Wolfe, a right-hander, was drafted by Minnesota in the sixth round.

“Our returning pitchers all had good years,” Horton said. “Johnson didn’t pitch that well in the World Series, but he had a good season, and Sorensen grew a lot as a pitcher this season. He was a lot more consistent late in the year.”

One of the keys to the pitching staff will be keeping Smith healthy. He has been troubled by arm and shoulder problems the last two seasons. “He’s going to work with a biokinetic specialist this summer and hopefully that will help,” Horton said. “We might need to work more with him on his mechanics. We need to have him healthy for the whole year.”

Horton said he has not been approached by any players wanting to transfer from other four-year schools, as Oborn did last year from Brigham Young. “But we always seem to get a player or two who help us that way,” Horton said.