Thumb Injury Could Sideline Titan Catcher

Cal State Fullerton catcher Brett Kay has an injured thumb on his throwing hand and is listed as questionable for a three-game series against Arizona State that begins at 7 tonight at Fullerton.

Kay, batting .304, is expected to be replaced by Lachlan Thorburn, a junior transfer from Riverside College. Kay, who has caught every inning this season, is scheduled to be examined by a specialist Monday.

The three-game series, which continues Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m., will be the first between the national powers since 1985 in Tempe, Ariz. The teams played single games each of the last two seasons with Fullerton winning both.

Arizona State (12-2) is ranked fifth and Fullerton (6-6) 18th by Baseball America.

Jon Smith (2-0, 1.83 ERA) is scheduled to pitch the opener for Fullerton, with freshman Darric Merrell (0-1, 0.98) set for Saturday. Kirk Saarloos (2-2, 1.41), who has given up four hits in 20 consecutive scoreless innings, will start Sunday.