Baseball and Softball Special Issue - Monday, March 3, 2014

MONDAY, M ARCH 3, 2014

Special Issue Sophomore third baseman Missy Taukeiaho has sparkled in her first season in a Titan uniform.

She returns home as a transfer from Washington.

THE

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL ISSUE

Junior infielder Matt Chapman has taken more of a leadership role this season after losing key players from last season to the 2013 MLB draft.

INSIDE MATT CHAPMAN The junior infielder is looking to capture a national title for CSUF and play in the majors

MISSY TAUKEIAHO The native of Rancho Cucamonga is happy to be back home and playing for the Titans

ATHLETES 4

ATHLETES 4

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RICK VANDERHOOK The third year coach is looking to win his first College World Series and break the drought

ANDERSON FIELD The softball facility got its name in 2006 from families that made financial contributions

COACHES 5

STADIUM 6 VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM/SPORTS

HISTORY Titan greats in the pros

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MARCH 3, 2014

THE DAILY TITAN

CSUF baseball has produced a total of 251 professionals MICHAEL HUNTLEY Daily Titan

Cal State Fullerton has one of the most recognized baseball programs in the nation and many former Titans have laced up their cleats in Major League Baseball.

A staggering 251 Titans have played professional baseball at some level. That is the fourth most of any university in California, behind UCLA, USC and Stanford. The major leagues have seen 53 Titans in their ranks.

The first Titan to step in a major league batter’s box was Tim Wallach. He played first base for the 1979 national championship team at CSUF. In his senior year at CSUF, he was the second ever Titan

MONDAY

to earn the Golden Spikes Award, which is given to the best amateur baseball player in the United States.

He is one of three Titans to win the prestigious award.

Wallach was drafted in the first round of the 1979 MLB draft by the Montreal Expos. He spent 13 seasons with the Expos, in which he was a five-time All-Star and won three Gold Glove Awards. He played the remainder of his four years in the major leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers and California Angels. He is a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

Wallach is a successful coach in MLB today. He has interviewed to be the manager of the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners and is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The first Titan pitcher to make an impact in MLB is Mike Harkey. Harkey broke out as a Chicago Cub in 1990, when he made 27

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starts with a 3.26 earned run average and finished fifth in the Rookie of the Year voting.

Injuries plagued Harkey throughout the rest of his career, but he is currently having a successful career as a pitching coach.

He served on the coaching staff for the New York Yankees from 2008-2013 and is currently the pitching coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The second Golden Spikes winner to come from CSUF was Phil Nevin.

Nevin played for the Titans on the 1992 College World Series runner-up team.

That season he had a .402 batting average with 22 home runs and 86 runs batted in. His impressive senior season and performance in the College World Series prompted the Houston Astros to pick him with the first pick in the 1992 MLB draft. An Astros scout famously quit his job because the team chose

Nevin with the first pick over Derek Jeter.

Nevin was a late-bloomer as a pro baseball player. He didn’t emerge as an everyday player until 2000 for the San Diego Padres.

That season, he hit 31 home runs and had 107 RBIs. In 2001 he hit a career-high 41 home runs with 126 RBIs and made his only All-Star team. He played five more years but never regained the success he once had.

He currently manages the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The third and most recent Golden Spikes winner from CSUF was Mark Kotsay. He had a .422 batting average in his junior year at CSUF with 21 home runs and 90 RBIs and was voted Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series in which the Titans won the national championship.

Kotsay was drafted in the first round by the Florida

Marlins in 1996. He had a very steady career but had a standout season in 2004 for the Oakland Athletics where he batted .314 and finished tied for fourteenth in the Most Valuable Player voting. Kotsay retired in September of 2013 after a 17-year career.

Kurt Suzuki was a member of the 2004 national championship team and led the team in several offensive categories, including batting average (.413), home runs (16), runs batted in (87) and runs scored (77).

He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 2004 amateur draft. He made his major league debut in 2007 and was with Oakland until he was traded to the Washington Nationals in 2012. A year later the Nationals traded him back to Oakland.

For his major league career, Suzuki has 67 home runs, 359 RBIs and a

batting average of .253.

Seven former Titans are currently at spring training and have a chance of making a major league roster. Ricky Romero is trying to earn his way back into the Toronto Blue Jays starting rotation. The 2005 CSUF alumni broke out in 2011 for the Blue Jays when he had a 2.92 ERA and finished in the top 10 of the Cy Young award voting.

Khris Davis, a 2009 alumni, debuted in 2013 for the Milwaukee Brewers ,and after an impressive rookie season, will be the starting left fielder in 2014.

Former Titan infielder Justin Turner is competing for a spot on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

CSUF has a tradition of excellence in baseball.

Current players like Matt Chapman and J.D. Davis hope to join the long list of alumni to play in the major leagues and continue the standard of greatness.

CSUF building a dynasty

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WINNIE HUANG / Daily Titan The Titans won their first championship in 1979, defeating Arkansas to finish the season 60-41-1. Their second win came in 1984 with a 66-20 record. In 1998, the team won the national title with a 57-9 record. Their most recent title, in 2004, was the result of a 47-22 season.

Baseball has won four championships and softball has one JOSEPH ANDERSON Daily Titan

Few collegiate programs nationwide feature the same prestige and notoriety as the Cal State Fullerton baseball team. Featuring four College World Series titles to go along with a multitude of Big West Conference championships, the Titans have been a national power for decades.

The first national championship for CSUF came in 1979, in former coach Augie Garrido’s seventh season as the Titans head coach. That Titans team finished 60-141 after defeating Arkansas 2-1 in Omaha, which included a 23-4-1 mark in the Southern California Baseball Association during the regular season.

First baseman Tim Wallach was the star of the show for CSUF, hitting an impressive .391 with 23 home runs and 102 runs batted in en route to winning the Golden Spikes Award for top player in the country. Pitching was a definite strength of the 1979 squad as well, as four pitchers reached double digit wins for CSUF during that season.

An interesting side note

about this team is that they lost the first game of both the West Regional and the College World Series, which put the team in an early hole that they were fortunate to pull themselves out of.

Seven players were drafted from the 1979 team, with Wallach being the first taken at 10th overall by the Montreal Expos.

The second national championship for Titans baseball came in 1984, where they defeated the title-favorite Texas Longhorns 3-1 to wrap up the title.

This squad featured star catcher Bob Caffrey, who belted 28 home runs while recording 90 runs batted in to pace a Titans offense that hit .313 as a whole.

Pitching was again a dominant force for CSUF baseball in 1984, where Todd Simmons compiled an impressive 15-3 record on the hill while his counterpart Jack Reinholtz finished the season with a dominant 13-2 mark.

The Titans again lost a game in the College World Series as they fell to Texas in their second game in Omaha, but rattled off four consecutive victories, including a win in the rematch with the Longhorns, to earn the title.

The 1984 squad featured 13 Titans who were drafted, with seven being pitchers and the other six being

various position players. The highest drafted was Caffrey, who the Yankees drafted with the 15th overall pick in the draft.

Garrido’s 20th season as the CSUF head coach in 1998 featured the most dominant team in school history, as the Titans compiled a 57-9 record that included a first place finish in the Big West Conference with an 18-3 conference record.

The star of the show for Fullerton was center fielder Mark Kotsay, who earned the Golden Spikes Award after hitting .422 with 21 home runs and 90 runs batted in to go along with a 0.31 earned run average and 11 saves as a pitcher. Kotsay also earned the Rotary Smith Award, which is awarded to the country’s top two-way player. He finished his career as one of the most decorated players in CSUF history.

This dominant Titans squad did not lose a single game in postseason play, as they swept through the College World Series, winning all four games, including an 11-5 win over the USC Trojans in the final game.

The 2004 title was the most recent championship for CSUF baseball, and the only one for former Head Coach George Horton. While the season ended on a high note, the Titans struggled initially out of the gate, as they held a pedestrian 16-16

record before entering conference play. Fullerton took off once the Big West schedule opened up, as they finished with a 19-2 record against their conference foes.

Catcher Kurt Suzuki and infielder Justin Turner led the Titans on the offensive end, while pitchers Ricky Romero and Jason Windsor were dominant on the mound. Romero finished the year with a 14-4 record and a respectable 3.37 earned run average while Windsor went 13-4 with an outstanding 1.72 ERA. A total of six players were drafted from CSUF after the 2004 championship season.

While baseball is the most well-known of the athletic programs at CSUF, the softball team has collected several accolades over the years, including a national championship of their own in 1986 under then Head Coach Judi Garman.

This is the lone championship in Titan softball history, but the program seems to be headed in the right direction under second-year Head Coach Kelly Ford.

Both the CSUF baseball and softball programs are headed toward long-term success, as they will hopefully make both Goodwin Field and Anderson Family Field home to national champions once again.

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ROSTERS

MARCH 3, 2014

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2014 Baseball No. 17 1 46 6 45 5 37 26 31 22 15 8 32 43 20 4 11 10 25 23 34 27 51 35 13 3 47 24 30 12 42 54

Name Pos. Phil Bickford RHP Taylor Bryant INF Miles Chambers RHP Matt Chapman INF Christian Coronado RHP Keegan Dale INF Dom Davis

INF J.D. Davis

1B/P Jared Deacon C Austin Diemer OF Thomas Eshelman RHP Justin Garza RHP Koby Gauna RHP Maxwell Gibbs LHP Chad Hockin RHP Jake Jefferies INF Ryan Kayoda RHP A.J. Kennedy C Willie Kuhl

RHP David Olmedo-Barrera OF Henry Omaña RHP Niko Pacheco C Tyler Peitzmeier LHP Tanner Pinkston 1B Timmy Richards INF Tyler Stieb

OF Shane Stillwagon RHP Greg Velazquez OF Marcus Vidales OF Grahamm Wiest RHP Clay Williamson OF Jose Zamora C

B/T R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R L/R R/R R/R L/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/L R/R S/R R/R R/R L/R L/R R/R R/R L/L L/R R/R S/R R/R R/R R/R R/R L/R R/R

Cl.

Freshman Freshman Freshman Junior Senior Senior Junior Junior Senior Junior Sophomore Sophomore Junior Freshman Freshman Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Junior Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Junior Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Freshman Senior Freshman Junior Junior Freshman

Ht. 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-9 6-3 6-0 6-1 6-3 5-11 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-6 6-0 5-9 6-1 6-1 5-11 6-3 6-1 5-10

Head Coach:

28 - Rick Vanderhook (3rd Season); Trinity University, 2003 Assistant Coaches:

9 - Mike Kirby (8th Season); Cal State Fullerton, 1994

39 - Jason Dietrich (2nd Season); Cal State Fullerton, 1999 Volunteer Assistant Coach:

36 - Chad Baum (8th Season); Cal State Fullerton, 1999 Director of Baseball Operations:

Todd Rogers (10th Season)

2014 Softball No. 44 9 11 19 8 10 23 7 3 72 13 26 18 00 22 1 16 34 12 33 31 2 29 5 4 15

Name Jasmine Antunez Gabby Aragon Kayla Blanco Sydney Colenzo Eliza Crawford Megan Estacio Mikaela Francis Samantha Galarza Leesa Harris Paige Kisling Lauren Mario Olivia Martinez Holly Mooring Delynn Rippy Gabrielle Rodas Jena Rubio

Melissa Sechrest Kayla Silverstein Kelly Stowe

Missy Taukeiaho Ariel Tsuchiyama Carissa Turang Emily Vizcarra Christina Washington Monique Wesley Desiree Ybarra

Pos. P/OF IF IF C/IF IF UT IF UT OF OF IF C UT OF OF OF UT P IF IF C IF IF P P P

B/T R/R R/R R/R L/R L/R L/R L/R L/R L/R L/R R/R R/R R/R L/R R/R R/R L/L R/R R/R R/R L/L L/R L/R L/L R/R L/L

Cl. So. R-Sr. Jr. Fr. R-Jr. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. So. So. R-Sr. Jr. R-So. Fr. So. Jr.

Head Coach:

Kelly Ford (2nd Season) Oklahoma ‘92 Associate Head Coach:

Dee Dee Kingsbury (12th Season) UCLA ‘94 Assistant Coach:

Jorge Araujo (2nd Season) Cal Poly Pomona ‘92 Undergraduate Assistant Coach:

Pam Newton (2nd Season) Undergraduate Assistant Coach:

Courtney Snyder (1st Season)

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Ht. 5-4 5-8 5-7 5-5 5-7 5-3 6-0 5-5 5-2 5-3 5-2 5-9 5-7 5-5 5-7 5-1 5-8 6-0 5-7 5-3 5-4 5-4 5-6 5-5 5-6 5-7

Exp. 1V 3V 1V HS 2V HS HS 1V 3V TR 3V HS JC HS HS 3V 1V HS TR TR 3V 1V 1V HS 1V 2V

Wt. 200 185 200 215 195 195 170 215 185 195 210 170 225 185 200 195 175 190 195 190 225 215 210 230 180 165 185 200 190 205 205 180

Exp. HS HS RS 2V 2V 3V JC 2V 3V 2V 1V 1V 2V HS HS 1V HS 1V 2V 1V 1V HS 2V 1V HS JC RS 3V HS 2V 2V HS

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THE DAILY TITAN

Hometown/Last School Newbury Park, Calif. / Oaks Christian HS La Quinta, Calif. / La Quinta HS Elverta, Calif. / Rio Linda HS Trabuco Canyon, Calif. / El Toro HS Hemet, Calif. / Hemet HS Riverside, Calif. / King HS Chino, Calif. / Rio Hondo CC Elk Grove, Calif. / Elk Grove HS Elk Grove, Calif. / Elk Grove HS Rocklin, Calif. / Rocklin HS Carlsbad, Calif. / Carlsbad HS Ontario, Calif. / Bonita HS Torrance, Calif. / St. John Bosco HS Huntington Beach, Calif. / Marina HS Upland, Calif. / Bonita HS Pleasanton, Calif. / Foothill HS Lake Forest, Calif. / El Toro HS Anaheim, Calif. / Savanna HS Mission Viejo, Calif. / Mission Viejo HS La Canada, Calif. / St. Francis HS Walnut, Calif. / Diamond Bar HS Fresno, Calif. / Bullard HS Yutan, Neb. / Yutan HS Dublin, Calif. / Dougherty Valley HS Long Beach, Calif. / Wilson HS Clements, Calif. / Delta CC Long Beach, Calif. / Valley Christian HS Fullerton, Calif. / Fullerton HS Woodland, Calif. / Pioneer HS Orange, Calif. / JSerra HS Laguna Niguel, Calif. / JSerra HS San Bernardino, Calif. / Arroyo Valley HS

Undergraduate Assistants:

33 - Shane Costa (2nd Season)

Cory Vanderhook (2nd Season) Graduate Manager:

Anthony Hutting (1st Season); Cal State Fullerton, 2013 Student Managers:

Jesus Ramos (4th Season)

A.J. Briones (2nd Season)

Max Gaines (2nd Season)

Hometown/Last School Garden Grove, Calif. / Garden Grove HS Garden Grove, Calif. / Rancho Alamitos HS Anaheim, Calif. / Orange Coast College Downey, Calif. / Calvary Chapel HS Lakewood, Calif. / Lakewood HS Long Beach, Calif. / Millikan HS Santa Rosa, Calif. / Maria Carrillo HS Moreno Valley, Calif. / Valley View HS Los Angeles, Calif. / Westchester HS Torrance, Calif. / North Texas San Diego, Calif. / Rancho Bernardo HS Corona, Calif. / Corona HS La Mirada, Calif. / Mt. SAC Oceanside, Calif. / El Camino HS Fullerton, Calif. / Troy HS Whittier, Calif. / Troy HS Peoria, Ariz. / Sunrise Mountain HS Carlsbad, Calif. / La Costa Canyon HS Anaheim Hills, Calif. / Canyon High School Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. / University of Washington La Habra, Calif. / Sonora HS Corona, Calif. / Southern Miss Lake Elsinore, Calif. / Lakeside HS Inglewood, Calif. / Torrance HS Fontana, Calif. / Etiwanda HS Riverside, Calif. / Riverside Poly HS Director of Softball Operations:

Korinne Randazzo Assistant Athletic Trainer:

Brent Smedley Certified Athletic Trainer:

Rachel Moon Team Manager:

Diane Gutierrez Volunteer Assistant Coach:

April Frazier (2nd Season) Oklahoma ‘04

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ATHLETES Chapman leads charge

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MARCH 3, 2014

THE DAILY TITAN

MONDAY

The junior infielder is embracing his new team responsibilities TAMEEM SERAJ Daily Titan

As a Titan bat boy, Matt Chapman watched the Cal State Fullerton baseball team go on to win the national championship in 2004. Now he wants to win a national title with the team he grew up watching.

Currently a junior at CSUF, the infielder from El Toro High School knew exactly what he wanted to do when he got his offer.

“I’ve always grown up around the program and it’s kind of been a dream and once they offered me, it seemed like a no-brainer to continue to play baseball here,” Chapman said.

Baseball has been in Chapman’s blood ever since he was playing teeball. Baseball has become life for Chapman and he can be his natural self when he is on the field. “(Playing baseball) means everything, I work hard every day for that moment to be out on that field and show everybody what I can do and have fun,” he said. “It’s when I can be myself the most; it’s what I love to do.”

With a .429 batting average in his junior year of high school and a .422 average his senior year, Chapman represents the small-ball mentality of Titan baseball.

Chapman began his freshman year a little unsure about what he was getting himself into, but was enthusiastic about his opportunity and quickly gelled with his new teammates.

“Freshman year obviously I was getting my feet wet and learning,” Chapman said. “I was excited, a little nervous, because I didn’t know what to expect, really, but it was awesome because once you were in, it was like everyone is your brother, it’s a big family.”

Chapman made a big impact as a newcomer in 2012, appearing in 50 games and batting .286.

Chapman belted two home runs and drove in 23 runs to earn Big West Freshman of the Year honors. Chapman helped the Titans to a 41-17 record but the team fell in their regional matchup to Oregon.

Chapman elevated his play in his second season

WINNIE HUANG / Daily Titan Junior Matt Chapman will shoulder more of a leadership role this season after the departure of some of last season’s key players. Chapman wants to lead by example and put his own stamp on his teaching methods with the newcomers. Chapman is batting .341 through the first 10 games, hitting two home runs and driving in nine runs.

with the Titans and avoided the dreaded sophomore slump. He batted .285 and earned a spot on the Big West Conference second team. Chapman blasted five home runs and drove in 37 runs to help the Titans to a 51-10 record, only to be ousted in the super regional by eventual champions UCLA. The first two seasons of experience has helped Chapman grow on and off the field. “(The experience) definitely helped me grow as a player with all the hard work that we put in. It’s helped me become a more well-rounded player and taught me hard work,

dedication ... and just made me more mentally tough and I think become a better person out of it too,” Chapman said.

With the departure of many key players from last season, Chapman has inherited more of a leadership role on the team that was ranked No. 1 in several preseason polls. However, Chapman is ready to embrace his new role and hopes to lead by example.

Chapman said Titan alumni Carlos Lopez and Richy Pedroza were his biggest influences as teammates by keeping him in check and teaching him what to do in certain situations.

“Sure we’d love to have some of those guys back but we can just take what we learn from them and try to apply it to the new guys and help them buy into what we do,” he said.

“Now that people actually look up to me, it’s my turn to fill their shoes and do what they did except in my own way.”

Titan fans may not have found the No. 19 jersey at the beginning of the season, but the junior simply switched to the No. 6 jersey, which was previously worn by Pedroza.

Chapman said No. 6 is his favorite number. He has been wearing it since high school, and he dreamed

about wearing No. 6 at Fullerton.

Chapman is off to a flying start in his third season. He has hammered two home runs and drove in nine runs, both good for a share of the team lead.

Chapman has batted an impressive .341 through the first 10 games as the Titans have compiled a 7-3 record.

Chapman and the rest of the Titan hitters feel they have something to prove after the pitching staff has been getting most of the preseason hype.

“I think we’re going to shock some people.

Some people might not give the hitting enough

credit, but I think we’re going to definitely play offense well and score runs,” Chapman said. “We’re a good, well-rounded baseball team. I think we bring a lot of things to the table, some speed and some power, so it will be fun.”

Chapman has high hopes for the rest of his career in a Titan uniform and for the rest of his baseball career.

“My ultimate goal is to win a national championship here and then continue to play professional baseball the next couple years if I’m lucky enough to,” Chapman said. “For sure I want to play in the major leagues one day.”

Taukeiaho shining in first year at CSUF The third baseman returns home after a year at Washington MICHAEL HUNTLEY Daily Titan

Missy Taukeiaho’s journey to Cal State Fullerton was different than most athletes’. She was heavily recruited out of Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga. She was the second-best softball recruit in California, according to ESPN. After a long recruiting process, she did not land at CSUF. She ended up at the University of Washington.

She had family ties to the Pac-12 Conference, with relatives playing football at Arizona State and Oregon State. The choice to take her talents to Washington

made sense. Washington is one of the top softball programs in one of the elite conferences in the nation.

“I wanted to be on the West Coast. I wanted to be in a Pac-12 school,” Taukeiaho said. “I didn’t really want to go all the way across the country to play.”

Taukeiaho had a decent year on the field at Washington in 2013. She played in 42 games and the team made it to the semifinals of the Women’s College World Series. But things weren’t all sunshine and rainbows beneath the surface.

“It definitely wasn’t what I expected it to be,” Taukeiaho said. “Things just didn’t work out with me and the coaching staff. It had nothing to do with the players or playing time.”

Taukeiaho did not see the

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field much later in the season. Communication issues between Taukeiaho and Head Coach Heather Tarr eventually led to Taukeiaho leaving Washington.

“We were always on different pages,” Taukeiaho said. “So things went south toward the end of conference and I made my own decision.”

Titan Assistant Coach Jorge Araujo was an instrumental figure in getting Taukeiaho to CSUF. Araujo is the head recruiting coordinator and works with the Titan infielders.

Taukeiaho played left field at Washington but feels most comfortable at third base.

“He was my third travel ball coach I played for growing up and I stayed with him all the way until high school,” Taukeiaho said. “That was a gateway to

Cal State Fullerton.”

Taukeiaho had the opportunity to transfer to other Pac-12 schools or go across the country to play in the Southeastern Conference. But family is very important to her and she didn’t want to remain far from them.

“I love seeing my family.

That was one thing I didn’t get last year,” Taukeiaho said. “That was different for me because I’ve always had my family at all my games.

I’ve always had that support and I didn’t have it last year.”

After her difficult experience at Washington, having a connection with the coaching staff played a big role in her decision to transfer. Araujo introduced her to Titan Head Coach Kelly Ford.

“I met Coach Ford prior to my visit and there was

something different about her than I’ve experienced with other female coaches,” Taukeiaho said. “She really didn’t fool me. She was being straight up and honest.”

Ford is known for being an approachable coach and having an open-door policy. Her loose nature was appealing to Taukeiaho and helped her decision in transferring to CSUF. “We’re able to relax in this environment. We’re able to have fun and we play well when we’re like that,” Taukeiaho said. “This is just fun compared to when I was up there it was work.”

Taukeiaho has settled in and found her rhythm at CSUF. She leads the team in batting average and onbase percentage. She has started every game at third base and the consistency is helping her development.

She has a slugging percentage of .630 and leads the team in total bases.

Despite these impressive numbers, Taukeiaho generally ignores her statistics until the end of the season.

“I’ve never really looked at numbers,” Taukeiaho said. “I don’t like to because then that makes me feel like I have to keep a certain expectation, and when I feel like I have to keep something then I try too hard, and when I try too hard I just sink.”

Taukeiaho has found comfort at CSUF. She is playing the position she loves with a coaching staff and teammates who mesh well with her. On top of all that, she is only 30 miles from home. Fortunately for the Titans, her happiness is translating to on-field success in a Titan uniform.

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COACHES

MARCH 3, 2014

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THE DAILY TITAN

Ford enters her second season back in.

“We can compete with anybody anytime, it’s just a state of mind,” Ford said about her team. “They expect to win. They don’t care JAMES SMITH what name is on the jersey.”

Daily Titan Despite having no time to familiarize herself with From joining a team mid- the program or team last season to finalizing an ardu- year, Ford was still able to ous adoption, the last year of make a profound impact Cal State Fullerton softball on the team in her first seacoach’s life came at break- son. Under her guidance she neck speed, giving her no brought Titan softball up time to pause. Not that she from a national rank of 199 would need to anyway. at the beginning of the seaFord was hired onto staff son to 58 at the end, makduring last season, mak- ing them the most improved ing her just the third head team in the country. softball coach in Cal State Ford also credits her sucFullerton history. cess at Cal State Fullerton “Everything seemed to her assistant coachfast-forward last season. ing squad, whom she hand There was no preparation,” picked.

Ford said. “Last year at this “I’ve hired coaches who time when I got the position, are better than me in areas.”

I honestly didn’t know the Ford said. “What I believe is girls names, where they were really powerful, is hiring a from, what they were about. staff of coaches that where I committed to not going I’m weak they excel.” back and looking at their Aside from softball, Ford’s stats, and just looking at the other passion is her daughseason and their personal ter, Sarah. Ford said Sarah performance from what I got is a gift in her life and her to know of them.” escape.

Ford came from Mt. San Ford adopted her through Antonio College where a foster program, knowing she had won an astound- immediately that she wanting four California State ed to foster to adopt. “I knew Championships, seven from day one that I wanted South Coast Conference to foster to adopt, so when I Championships and five got the call they said it was South Coast Conference a slam dunk adoption. Two Coach of the Year honors. hours later I had her.”

She attributes part of her However, three weeks afimpressive record to her ter bringing her daughter coaching style, which stress- home the adoption agency es the importance of mental told her the process wouldn’t preparation. be that simple. It would be “My No. 1 job is to build three more years before Ford confidence in these ath- could legally call Sarah her letes,” Ford said. “My job is daughter. to motivate “I endured and to inspire the emotion“My job is to and make sure al roller coastmotivate and when these er and ended athletes take to inspire and up getting her field they beback,” Ford lieve and are make sure when said.

“The confident. I adoption was these athletes think that’s final during take field they last spring just as important as being believe and are season in May. able to hit that Her adopconfident. I curveball.” tion that I had Upon arthink that’s just been waiting riving at for three years as important as had Cal State been F u l l e r t o n , being able to hit final.” one of Ford’s With her that curveball.” first year as first goals was just that. head coach She wanted and an adopto remove the KELLY FORD tion behind nerves and CSUF Softball Head Coach her, Ford is extrepidation cited to take she saw in her on her first full team when they competed season. With the added luxagainst nationally ranked ury of a full preseason this teams. year, Ford is expecting even Through her coaching and more out her team. “It is a a quick four wins against top constant work in progress.

25 ranked teams last season, These guys are laying the she believes that her team groundwork. The 2013 team has already gained that con- built the foundation, now fidence and eliminated any this group is taking it to the chance of the past creeping next level.”

Softball head coach hopes to continue last year’s success

WINNIE HUANG / Daily Titan Head Coach Rick Vanderhook is entering his third season as the coach of the Titan baseball team. He has three CSUF championship rings, one as a player and he is hoping for a fourth with this season’s team. The team is off to a 7-3 start in the 2014 season.

Captain Hook

Head Coach Rick Vanderhook enters his third season IAN O’BRIEN Daily Titan

In his third season at the helm of the Cal State Fullerton baseball team, Head Coach Rick Vanderhook has seen his fair share of big moments, but says he still looks forward to “the” highlight as the Titans’ head coach.

The two-time Big West Coach of the Year winner and former Titans player came back to CSUF in 2011 with three CSUF championship rings, looking to earn more.

Vanderhook began his career at CSUF as a graduate assistant in 1985 after helping the Titans win their second College World Series title in 1984.

The Titans currently hold a 7-3 record after pulling off a road sweep of the University of Oregon Ducks, where Vanderhook bested his former mentor, Oregon Head Coach George Horton.

Vanderhook will look to make his third season the charm as the Titans hope to continue their momentum.

Despite all of his accomplishments, Vanderhook has stayed driven and has focused on winning first and foremost since becoming a coach.

“With my personality if we lost a lot of games over a two or three-year period of time I’d probably have a heart attack and die because I don’t

take losing very well. It’s competitive athletics,” Vanderhook said.

It isn’t about how hard you tried or how the game is played, he said.

It’s about winning or losing, and he maintains a simple yet firm philosophy on how to win.

“Score more runs than the other team. That’s it,” he said. “Whatever team touches home plate the most wins, so however we go about it, you can have ugly wins but they’re wins.

You can have good losses but they’re still losses,” Vanderhook said.

With this competitive fire burning, Vanderhook admits he is still looking for the biggest win of his career.

“I haven’t had the biggest one yet.

One of the biggest wins was my first win at Florida my first year. They were No. 1 in the country. We were a little bit undermanned … we went in there and we played with them all three games and beat them on the Sunday game for the first win.”

Vanderhook said.

He left the Titans after the 1988 season and served as an assistant at Cal State Northridge from 1989-1990, leading them to a No. 2 ranking in Division II baseball.

Vanderhook returned to Fullerton in the 1991 season, and the Titans eventually won two more College World Series championships in 1995 and 2004. The 2004 team was led by current Oregon Head Coach George Horton.

When Vanderhook is not enduring

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his intense passion for baseball, he is a family man. The river is one of his favorite places to be once the baseball season ends.

“I think we made it for five days last summer, but I like going to the river and putting the boat in the water and putting the Sea-Doos in the water and taking the kids wakeboarding and just sitting in the sun at 112 degrees and relaxing and not worrying about stuff. That’s what I like. It gets me away from everything,” Vanderhook said.

In 2007 Vanderhook left the Titans, not returning to baseball until 2009 as an assistant for the UCLA Bruins. He helped lead them to a second-place finish in the 2010 College World Series.

Vanderhook left the Bruins in 2011 to replace Dave Serrano as head coach. Serrano now coaches the Tennessee Volunteers.

In the 2012 season, CSUF won a Big West title with a 37-21 record.

They were knocked out in the Eugene Regional by Oregon and Austin Peay.

The Titans improved in 2013, finishing 51-10, which was the second-best winning percentage in school history. They were eliminated in Super Regionals by UCLA, who went on to win the national championship.

For more information on CSUF baseball and all Titan athletics, go to FullertonTitans.com.

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WINNIE HUANG / Daily Titan Head Coach Kelly Ford salutes during the national anthem. Ford is looking to build a strong softball program for years to come.

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STADIUM Goodwin Field

MARCH 3, 2014 MONDAY

Diamond has seen nearly 500 Titan wins since 1992 Titans have a .758 win percentage at home through 2012 GINA VAN STRATTEN Daily Titan

The Cal State Fullerton baseball team has had an evident home-field advantage since throwing its first pitch at Goodwin Field. “(Titan baseball) has amassed a stunning 482154 overall record and a .758 winning percentage through the 2012 season,” according to the Fullerton Athletics site.

This amazing home-field record is due in part to the extensive renovations that made Goodwin Field, previously known as Titan Field, the new home for the CSUF baseball team on April 18, 1992.

Since the inauguration of Goodwin Field in 1992, there have been additional improvements made to enhance the quality of the facilities. Some of these improvements include the new digital message board.

In the spring of 2011, a new LED digital screen replaced the previous scoreboard.

The most extensive of these improvements was a $3 million project finished just before opening day in 2001. This project allowed the stadium to hold around 3,500 fans, doubling the previous attendees capacity of 1,750.

This project also included the field’s first on-site clubhouse equipped with locker rooms, coaches’ offices and a VIP viewing and entertainment room that overlooks the field.

This venture was made possible with the tremendous generosity of Merilyn and Jerry Goodwin, who donated $1 million to fund the project.

The couple’s connection to CSUF began with a friendship between Jerry Goodwin and Milton A. Gordon, former president of CSUF. Goodwin saw the help that was needed for the baseball facilities.

“I wanted to give to a program that would benefit the school and what was most needed at the time,” Jerry Goodwin said in an interview with CSUF. On April 14, 2000, in honor of the Goodwins, the stadium changed its name from Titan Field to Goodwin Field. There was a ceremony held to mark the official change before the CSUF game against Long Beach State that same day.

Merilyn Goodwin said she loves seeing her name in lights, and hopes it is an inspiration to all the athletes who play on Goodwin Field.

“I made mention the day they dedicated this stadium, we hope that every time they go out there, they plan on having a good win,” Merilyn Goodwin said in an interview with CSUF. In addition to the vast improvements, Goodwin Field has also been the home to many firsts for the Titan baseball team.

The transformation of the field into a state-ofthe-art facility allowed the NCAA to name Goodwin Field as a site for regional play for the first time in 2000. CSUF hosted the Super Regionals in eight of the past 11 seasons.

A sold-out home crowd of 3,412 was able to see the Titans earn a berth in the College World Series against the Mississippi State Bulldogs for the very first time.

Steve DiTolla, the senior associate athletics director, credits much of the growth of Titan baseball to the field renovations that were made possible by the Goodwins.

“Our baseball program has been able to host regional and super regional championships, which has allowed us (CSUF) a home-field advantage,” said DiTolla in an interview with CSUF. Goodwin Field’s attendance records have continued to skyrocket over previous records. Toward the end of the 2005 Titan baseball season, fans gathered and set a new benchmark for selling out at 3,654.

That season the Titans had four sellout games, three of which were consecutive.

Goodwin Field has attracted massive amounts of Titan baseball fans.

Goodwin Field is durable and will last for many years to come thanks to the generosity of Merilyn and Jerry Goodwin.

GOODWIN FACTS

Full name: Jerry and Merilyn Goodwin Field Opened: 1992 Capacity: 3,500 Record Attendance: 3,554 Formerly: Titan Field (1992-2000) Last renovated: 2010

WINNIE HUANG / Daily Titan Goodwin Field, built in 1992, is named after Jerry and Merilyn Goodwin, who donated $1 million to help renovate the facility.

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MARCH 3, 2014

MONDAY

STADIUM

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DAVID MCLAREN & WINNIE HUANG / Daily Titan Anderson Family Field, which received its name in 2006, is home to Titan softball and named after two separate families from Yorba Linda who have contributed to the CSUF baseball and softball programs.

Anderson Family Field

Home to Judi Garman Classic boasts advanced technology, landscaped knoll Field has grown to become one of the best for softball fans GINA VAN STRATTEN Daily Titan

After spending its first five seasons at Lions Field in Brea, Cal State Fullerton’s softball program moved to the CSUF campus in 1985 and has remained here ever since.

During the 2006 season, the Titan softball complex main diamond was renamed Anderson Family Field. This name change was made to honor the constant capital gifts from two Anderson families, Jeff and Michelle Anderson and Dennis and Vicki Anderson.

These Yorba Linda residents have contributed to the CSUF softball and baseball programs over the past 10 years.

The Andersons appreciated being recognized and having the field renamed after their families.

“We have enjoyed our association over the years and are proud to be recognized by the university,” Jeff Anderson said in an interview with CSUF. Milton A. Gordon, former president of CSUF, said it was an honor to be able to name the field after the family because they have long supported the athletics teams on campus, especially that of the softball program.

“It’s always gratifying to be able to honor longtime supporters like the

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Anderson family, and especially so as we name the home of our national-caliber softball team Anderson Field,” Gordon said in an interview with the college.

Many renovations and improvements have been made to the softball facilities through the constant donations from the two Anderson families.

The softball facility was completely redesigned in 2000.

Chair back bleachers were added to ensure comfort for the fans of the newly increased capacity at the main field of 1,000 fans.

These blue and orange seats were designed in line with spirit of CSUF and the softball program.

The press box behind home plate was also

expanded. A two-tiered press box was built, complete with full Internet accessibility for members of the media during the games. It has hosted media outlets such as Big West, ESPN3 and many more.

The new landscaped grassy knoll behind the left field fence made it perfect for fans to enjoy Southern California’s calm and beautiful weather during the games. On this knoll stands the bright LED digital scoreboard and screen.

During games, this screen showcases close-up footage and stats on the athletes. The knoll can be used as extra seating for those who enjoy throwing a blanket on the grass and enjoying the game.

The new Anderson

Family Field is also equipped with two complete bullpens for two pitchers to warm up. There are also two sunken dugouts to house both teams during the games.

The beauty and durability of Anderson Family Field has drawn fans to each home game and tournament. The record for the highest attendance was a game against UCLA in March 2003. The attendance totaled 1,643 excited fans.

Anderson Family Field uses its full capacity in home games as well as CSUF’s two highly competitive tournaments: the DeMarini Invitational and the Judi Garman Classic.

The Judi Garman Classic is revered as the nation’s premier regular-season

tournament, standing second to the Women’s College World Series held in Oklahoma City, Okla.

The record for tournament attendance at Anderson Family Field was reached during the Judi Garman Classic of the 2008 season against Fresno State. The record tournament attendance stands at 2,096 fans.

Anderson Family Field has supported and housed the softball program as they have won Player of the Year awards, berths in the College World Series, conference games and post-season appearances.

The field now stands as one of the top softball venues in the country. It has become synonymous with the success and appeal of the Titans softball team.

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SCHEDULE

Baseball March Fri March 7 Sat March 8 Sun March 9 Tue March 11 Fri March 14 Sat March 15 Sun March 16 Tue March 18 Fri March 21 Sat March 22 Sun March 23 Fri March 28 Sat March 29 Sun March 30

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MARCH 3, 2014 MONDAY

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at Baylor at Baylor at Baylor at San Diego Saint Mary’s Saint Mary’s Saint Mary’s UNLV Long Beach State Long Beach State Long Beach State at Wichita St. at Wichita St. at Wichita St.

4:35 PM 1:05 PM 11:05 AM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 1:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 1:00 PM 4:30 PM 12:00 PM 11:00 AM

UC Davis * UC Davis * UC Davis * UCLA at UC Santa Barbara * at UC Santa Barbara * at UC Santa Barbara * at Cal Poly * at Cal Poly * at Cal Poly * at Fresno State Hawai’i * Hawai’i * Hawai’i * San Diego * Fresno State

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at Long Beach State * 6:00 PM at Long Beach State * 2:00 PM at Long Beach State * 1:00 PM at UCLA 6:00 PM UC Riverside * 7:00 PM UC Riverside * 6:00 PM UC Riverside * 1:00 PM at UC Irvine * 6:30 PM at UC Irvine * 6:00 PM at UC Irvine * 1:00 PM USC 6:00 PM Cal State Northridge * 6:00 PM Cal State Northridge * 7:00 PM Cal State Northridge * 1:00 PM

March Fri March 7 Sat March 8 Sat March 8 Sun March 9 Fri March 14 Fri March 14 Sat March 15 Sat March 15 Mon March 17 Wed March 26 Wed March 26 Sat March 29 Sat March 29 Sun March 30

Fresno State Nebraska Arizona Wisconsin Canisius UNLV Texas Tech DePaul Canisius at CSU Bakersfield at CSU Bakersfield UC Santa Barbara * UC Santa Barbara * UC Santa Barbara *

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April 4 April 5 April 5 April 10 April 12 April 12 April 13 April 16 April 16 April 17 April 26 April 26 April 27

at Hawai’i * at Hawai’i * at Hawai’i * UCLA UC Riverside * UC Riverside * UC Riverside * Long Beach State * Long Beach State * Long Beach State * at Cal Poly * at Cal Poly * at Cal Poly *

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Santa Clara 6:00 PM UC Davis * 4:00 PM UC Davis * 6:00 PM UC Davis * 12:00 PM at Cal State Northridge * 12:00 PM at Cal State Northridge * 2:00 PM at Cal State Northridge * 12:00 PM

* - Conference Games

WINNIE HUANG / Daily Titan The Cal State Fullerton softball team gets pumped up before their game at the start of this past week’s tournament. Heavy rain forced the cancellation of the majority of the games at the tournament, and the Titans were only able to play once, losing to Oregon State by a score of 5-2.

ROBERT HUSKEY / For the Daily Titan Members of the Cal State Fullerton baseball team get ready to kick off the 2013 season against the USC Trojans at Goodwin Field. The Titans were victorious in the season opener by a score of 3-2, and the win sparked a 10-game winning streak. They would finish the season with an overall record of 51 wins and 10 losses.

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