Saarloos Was Irreplaceable for Fullerton

When Cal State Fullerton scored nine runs in the first inning against Pacific Sunday, there was discussion among the Titan coaches about replacing pitcher Kirk Saarloos so he could start Monday against Arizona State.

But there apparently was no discussion in the Pacific dugout about the Fullerton staff’s decision to leave the team’s pitching ace in an extremely one-sided game.

Saarloos went on to pitch Fullerton’s second nine-inning no-hitter since the Titans began playing Division I baseball in 1975. And not even Pacific, embarrassed by a 28-0 rout, begrudged him the moment.

“If I had a pitcher in that same situation, I would have kept him in,” Pacific pitching coach Justin Kern said. “If I was the pitcher, I’d be angry if I got pulled out pitching a no-hitter. You don’t have that opportunity very often. You have to let kids obtain some of their personal goals when you can.”

Titan coaches decided to keep Saarloos in the game after the first, primarily because this week’s three-game Big West Conference series at Sacramento State begins on Thursday, a day earlier than normal because of Easter. If Saarloos had pitched Monday, “It would have meant less rest for him,” Titan Coach George Horton said.

Then, after the Titan lead soared to 16-0 after three innings, Saarloos was supposed to come out after pitching the five innings normally required for a starter to earn the victory.

Saarloos’ superb pitching altered those plans too.

Fullerton led, 24-0, after five innings, but the coaches decided to let Saarloos stay in the game until he gave up a hit.

“I had some mixed emotions about him staying in because I knew we could get the win and still give him some extra rest because he’s been pitching so much lately,” Horton said. “But he wanted to go for it, [pitching coach Dave Serrano] wanted to go for it, and he got it.”

Horton began moving reserves into the lineup in the third inning.

“We played about as many guys as we were able to,” Horton said. “We didn’t bunt and we didn’t run after we got the big lead. All we did was swing the bat. Nobody likes to be on the other end of a game like that.”

As it turned out, reserves turned in some solid plays to help preserve the no-hitter. “Those guys have been working hard every day in practice, and we don’t take a step down when they’re in there,” Saarloos said.

Saarloos also had a shot at a no-hitter this season against Brigham Young. He retired the first 23 batters on Feb. 17 at home before Kainoa Obrey blooped a single into right field with two outs in the eighth. It was the only hit Saarloos gave up in a 5-0 victory.

Saarloos said he didn’t think about that near-miss in the late innings Sunday. “I was just thinking about this game,” Saarloos said.

The effort also extended Saarloos’ streak to seven consecutive complete games.

Saarloos, who has become a leading contender for national honors, has won eight consecutive games, and has struck out 95 batters in 86 innings. He has given up only nine walks and hit five batters.

Saarloos’ earned-run average is 1.26. Opponents are batting .151 against him.

Saarloos is scheduled to make his next start in the second game against Sacramento State this week to give Fullerton’s regular first-game starter Jon Smith more rest. Smith has a strained groin muscle that forced him out in the first inning on Friday. He is scheduled to start Saturday. Freshman Darric Merrell is scheduled to start the first game Thursday.

And how did Saarloos feel about his effort a day after the fact?

“I woke up this morning and thought, ‘I really did pitch a no-hitter.’ ”