Fullerton Pitcher’s Stock Rising

Wes Littleton was a seventh-round pick of the Montreal Expos out of Vista High three years ago. But instead of signing with the Expos, Littleton went to Cal State Fullerton and became the Titans’ ace pitcher.

If the junior continues to have performances such as the one he had last Friday, his status in the June first-year draft will skyrocket.

Littleton threw only 75 pitches in a one-hitter during Fullerton’s 12-0 victory at Fresno State. The 6-foot-3 right-hander walked one and pitched to the minimum 27 batters in throwing his second career shutout. Former Cal State Northridge infielder Ryan Haag had the only hit, a clean single in the fourth inning.

“I didn’t really know I had only thrown 75 pitches,” Littleton said. “I’ve had other games like that. Last year against Long Beach State, it was kind of similar.”

Littleton has flourished since becoming a regular starter last season. He was 9-4 with a 2.40 earned-run average and had four outings where he took a no-decision or a loss despite giving up two or fewer runs in seven innings.

In two outings this season, he has given up three runs in 14 1/3 innings. Littleton, considered one of the top college pitching prospects, said he is ignoring the radar guns.

“When I’m pitching, I block out everything,” he said. “You want to pitch the way you want, not the way scouts think you should pitch. You’re not pitching for them.”

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Redlands men’s basketball Coach Gary Smith won his 400th game in 32 seasons when the Bulldogs defeated Caltech, 136-68, Wednesday night.... Long Beach State softball Coach Pete Manarino needs two victories to reach 700 in his 20-year career.... The UC Riverside men’s golf team won the Anteater Invitational on Tuesday at Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach. The Highlanders finished 18 shots ahead of host UC Irvine; Texas El Paso finished third. Sophomore Eric Riehle finished in a tie for second, three shots behind medalist Chris Baryla of UTEP.

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Weekend Events

BASEBALL

Arizona at UC Irvine, 6 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday -- Arizona’s Andy Lopez had interest in the Irvine coaching vacancy when the school brought back the sport after a 10-year hiatus before last season. He opted for the Arizona job and Irvine hired USC assistant John Savage.

South Alabama at USC, 6 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday -- No. 23 South Alabama is coming off a 42-19 season. The No. 10 Trojans are led by second baseman Jon Brewster, batting .462.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Pepperdine at UC Irvine, 7 p.m. Saturday -- No. 3 Pepperdine lost to Irvine on Jan. 6 and since then has won eight in a row. No. 2 Irvine fell from the top spot in the national rankings after losing to Cal State Northridge last week.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

UCLA at Pepperdine, noon Friday; USC at Pepperdine, noon Saturday -- A tough weekend for the Waves. USC is No. 3 in the nation; UCLA is No. 9.