June 19, 2007

Unpredictable Titans get sent home early
By JANIS CARR

OMAHA, Neb. There weren't any bold statements this time.

Last season after being eliminated from the College World Series, Cal State Fullerton coach George Horton told the gathered media "See you next year."

When Horton finished his postgame news conference after Monday's 5-4 elimination loss to UC Irvine, he thanked everyone and said simply, "Hope to see you soon."

Horton apparently knows better now than to predict the future when his team turns out to be as unpredictable as it was this season.

The Titans were picked in preseason polls to win their fourth consecutive Big West title, but they finished fifth and under .500 (10-11) in conference play. Still, on the strength of their nonconference schedule (they took series against Rice, Wichita State, Arizona and UCLA) the NCAA Selection Committee awarded the Titans a regional berth, giving the team a second chance.

And Fullerton made the most of that chance, going 5-0 through its regional and super regional, aided by a burst of timely hitting.

But when the Titans arrived in Omaha, their hitting fell off, and for the first time since 1990, they failed to win a game.

But that didn't dampen Horton's spirits altogether. He took solace that the Titans (38-24) made it this far with a largely inexperienced team.

"This team was not supposed to get here," Horton said. "If I'm not happy for today, I better retire. I would have like it more if we had won, but this was a blast. …I'm proud of my guys for turning around the season."

McARTHUR SITS

Fullerton third baseman Evan McArthur sat out Monday's game because of tendinitis in his left ankle, ending his college career on the bench.

Joel Weeks, the second baseman before he broke his ankle, started in place of McArthur, his first start since March 14.

UCI's Eric Pettis (4-0) is scheduled to start against Arizona State today, selected over three others Dave Serrano has tried out in the No. 3 spot.

Serrano said he expects to use a bevy of young arms depending how long the Anteaters stay in the Series.

"You try to find a silver lining and that is that you will see some of our young guys pitch," Serrano said. "For us to get this done, we have to use them."

Serrano has started Cory Hamilton, Dylan Axelrod and Daniel Bibona on various Sundays during the season.