A strong pitching staff gives Fullerton the edge

College baseball fans in Orange County are excited and pumped about Friday night’s season opener at Cal State Fullerton that matches the host Titans against former coach George Horton and his second-year team from Oregon.

“This place will be like a regional [playoff] atmosphere,” Fullerton Coach Dave Serrano said. “They’ll come out in droves.”

Horton was Fullerton’s head coach for 11 years, winning a national title in 2004. He also played for the Titans and served as the top assistant to former coach Augie Garrido, who won three national titles.

Horton left in 2007 to restart Oregon’s program, and last season the Ducks went 14-42 in his rookie season. His roster includes a dozen recruits from Southern California.

Serrano, however, has taken good care of the Fullerton program and kept it No. 1 in baseball-rich Southern California. The Titans advanced to the World Series last season and start out with the most experienced returning pitching staff, featuring standout starters Daniel Renken (11-3, 2.69 earned-run average), Noe Ramirez (9-2, 3.33) and Tyler Pill (11-3, 4.06), plus closer Nick Ramirez (seven saves).

“My expectations are pretty high,” Serrano said.

Here’s a look at teams from Southern California:

CAL STATE FULLERTON (2009 record: 47-16)

Scoop: Fullerton’s pitchers feel confident on ground balls hit to junior shortstop Christian Colon, who batted .357, is one of the best players defensively and projects as a top draft pick in June. Center fielder Gary Brown batted .340 with 23 stolen bases.

Top newcomer: Freshman Dillon Floro throws in the low 90s and adds depth to an already strong pitching staff. “He’s got explosive stuff,” Coach Dave Serrano said.

UC IRVINE (2009 record: 45-15)

Scoop: Coach Mike Gillespie guided Irvine to the Big West title last season and returns the pitcher of the year in Daniel Bibona (12-1, 2.63), plus relief ace Eric Pettis (17 saves) and the consistent Christian Bergman (9-3, 3.50). Seven All-Big West honorees return, including catcher Francis Larson (nine home runs) and outfielder Casey Stevenson (.346).

Top newcomer: Third baseman Drew Hillman hit .500 with 53 RBIs last season at Orange Coast College.

UCLA (2009 record: 27-29)

Scoop: With two of the best sophomore starting pitchers in the nation in Gerrit Cole (4-8, 3.49) and Trevor Bauer (9-3, 2.99), plus an improving No. 3 in Rob Rasmussen, the Bruins should be in position to contend for the Pacific 10 Conference title. But UCLA has struggled late in games because of the absence of a consistent closer. Sophomore Dan Klein, who missed last season with a shoulder injury, will get the first shot at the closing role.

Top newcomer: Freshman outfielder Cody Keefer from Davis should be an immediate hitting standout.

USC (2009 record: 28-28)

Scoop: After finishing ninth, sixth and fifth in the Pacific 10 the last three years without making the NCAA playoffs, Coach Chad Kreuter knows the 12-time NCAA champion Trojans need to show improvement. Infielder Ricky Oropesa batted .314 as a freshman. Sophomore pitcher Andrew Triggs (5-3, 3.96) should be the ace. Sophomore JC transfer Taylor Wrenn is expected to replace first-round draft pick Grant Green at shortstop.

Top newcomer: Freshman Alex Glenn from McDonough, Ga., should earn a starting spot in the outfield.

LONG BEACH STATE (2009 record: 25-29)

Scoop: Injuries took their toll on the 49ers last season. The team will rely on leadoff hitter Jonathan Jones, a sophomore outfielder who was an All-Big West selection. Another outfielder, T.J. Mittelstaedt, had 46 runs batted in. Jake Thompson (4-7, 5.61) moves from Sunday starter to staff ace.

Top newcomer: Third baseman Joey Terdoslavich, a senior transfer from Miami, has power and should be in the cleanup spot.

CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (2009 record: 24-32)

Scoop: First baseman Dominic D’Anna displayed power last season with seven home runs. Pitcher Ryan Juarez was 7-5 with a 4.89 ERA.

Top newcomer: Freshman pitcher Alex Muren is the younger brother of sophomore pitcher Andrew Muren, and both could be starters.

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT (2009 record: 30-29)

Scoop: Former Fullerton assistant Jason Gill is known for his recruiting, so the Lions are expected to continue their improvement in his second year. Outfielder Ryan Hawthorne hit .307 as a freshman. Infielder Shon Roe had 41 RBIs as a freshman. Freshman Aaron Griffin, a 6-4 right-hander from El Cajon, could help immediately.

Top newcomer: Infielder Matt Lowenstein from Chino Hills has received rave reviews for his hitting skills.

PEPPERDINE (2009 record: 31-23)

Scoop: Two experienced starting pitchers are back in Cole Cook (7-3, 3.69) and Matt Bywater (6-1, 3.57). Center fielder Brian Humphries was one of the best freshmen in the West Coast Conference, batting .305. A strong recruiting class should aid the Waves.

Top newcomer: Freshman infielder Joe Sever from San Jose Bellarmine Prep is ready to crack the starting lineup.

UC RIVERSIDE (2009 record: 33-20)

Scoop: The top two hitters return in outfielder Michael Hur (.372 with 52 RBIs) and infielder Ryan Goetz (19 multi-hit games, .340).

Top newcomer: Freshman Phil Holinsworth from Chino Hills played every position but pitcher and catcher in the fall and should find a spot to contribute.

UC SANTA BARBARA (2009 record: 29-23)

Scoop: Senior infielder Matt Valaika (.343) from Newhall Hart is the second member of his family to be a standout for the Gauchos, following older brother Chris.

Top newcomer: Left-hander Kevin Gelinas, a JC transfer from Arizona, comes highly regarded.

CAL POLY (2009 record: 37-21)

Scoop: The Mustangs host USC in a three-game series this weekend and return infielder Matt Jensen, who hit .375 with 53 RBIs as a freshman. There’s experience on the mound with Mark DeVincenzi (6-1, 4.26) and Steve Fischback (5-4, 4.55).

Top newcomer: Freshman outfielder Mitch Haniger from San Jose Archbishop Mitty earned respect in fall ball.