Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine were both recognized in Collegiate Baseball's Fabulous 40 NCAA Division I preseason baseball poll released today.  The Titans were picked 23rd and the Anteaters grabbed the 30th spot.

Cal State Fullerton is coming off a season that included capturing its 26th Big West Conference title and making its 34th postseason apperance.   The Titans return a very experienced squad from the 2012 season, including All-American Michael Lorenzen and Big West Freshman of the Year, Matt Chapman. In addition, all-conference first team 2012 selections Richy Pedroza and Carlos Lopez are expected to return to the Titan lineup along with second-team pick Anthony Hutting.

On the mound, right-hander Grahamm Wiest (5-5, 3.12) returns as well as Big West second team pick Willie Kuhl. The right-hander made 18 relief appearances in 2012, striking out 36 in 26 and 2/3 innings.

The Anteaters welcome back an impressive pitching staff that is led by Big West All-Conference First Team honoree, Andrew Thurman, who was 8-3 last season with a 2.66 ERA. The right-hander also became the fifth player in UCI history to fire a no-hitter and went on to hold opposing teams to a .195 batting average.  Also returning is closer Race Parmenter, who garnered All-Big West honors last year after posting eight saves in 22 appearances.

Experience is also showcased behind the plate with the return of catcher Ronnie Shaeffer, 2011 American Baseball Coaches Association Gold Glove winner.  Shaeffer, who utilized a redshirt year last season, caught every game in 2011 for UCI and added 55 hits with 31 RBI en route to earning All-Big West Conference first-team honors.


Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's NCAA Div. I Pre-Season Poll
(As of Dec. 20, 2012)   

Rank School ('12 Final Record) - Points
1. Arkansas (46-22) -  496
2. North Carolina (46-16) - 495
3. Vanderbilt (35-28) - 494
4. Louisiana St. (47-18) - 487
5. UCLA (48-16) - 484
6. Oregon (46-19)  - 482
7. South Carolina (49-20) - 481
8. Kentucky (45-18) - 478
9. Stanford (41-18) - 476
10. Oregon St. (40-20) - 473
11. N.C. State (43-20)  - 470
12. San Diego (40-17) - 467
13. Mississippi St. (40-24) - 464
14. Oklahoma (42-25) -  462
15. Texas Christian (40-22) - 460
16. Arizona St. (36-20)  - 458
17. Georgia Tech. (38-26) - 456
18. Arizona (48-17) - 454
19. Florida St. (50-17) - 452
20. Rice (41-19) - 450
21. Texas (30-22) - 448
22. Louisville (41-22) - 446
23. Cal State Fullerton (36-21) - 445
24. Florida (47-20) - 443
25. Mississippi (37-26) - 437
26. Texas A&M (43-18) - 434
27. Clemson (35-28) - 429
28. Miami, Fla. (36-23) - 427
29. Georgia (31-26) - 423
30. UC Irvine (31-25) - 420
31. Missouri St. (40-22) - 418
32. Wichita St. (35-25) - 415
33. New Mexico (37-24) - 413
34. Kent St. (47-20) - 411
35. Virginia (39-19-1)  - 408
36. Southern Mississippi (32-24) - 405
37. East Carolina (36-24-1) - 403
38. Coastal Carolina (42-19) - 400
39. Dallas Baptist (41-19)  - 397
40. Pepperdine (36-23)  - 395