tom sandersCal Poly, coming off a non-conference series win at UC Davis last weekend, returns to Big West Conference play this weekend, visiting No. 2 Cal State Fullerton for a three-game series at Goodwin Field. The Mustangs and Titans play Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Cal State Fullerton (36-13, 12-3 Big West) has five position starters, nine pitchers and six other letter winners back from last year’s 46-18 squad, which advanced to the Super Regionals before falling to Arizona State. The Titans have won six Big West titles in nine years.
Top Titan hitters are shortstop Blake Davis (.374, 29 RBI, 10 stolen bases), second baseman Justin Turner (.352, 32 RBI, 18 stolen bases and third baseman Evan McArthur (.327, 29 RBI, seven stolen bases). The Titans are hitting .312 as a team and sport a stingy 2.84 team ERA. Closer Vinnie Pestano is among the nation's leaders in saves with 14, but is doubtful for this weekend’s series with a muscle strain. Pestano and Davis were preseason All-Americans.
Cal State Fullerton has a 47-27 advantage in its series against Cal Poly.
Cal Poly (27-23, 8-7 Big West) has 38 home runs in 50 games this season, the best in the Big West, and a .284 team batting average. Third baseman Josh Lansford leads the Mustangs and is No. 2 in the Big West offensively with a .368 average and a 16-game hitting streak. Catcher Matt Canepa is next at .346 and has hit in eight straight games. Senior first baseman/right fielder Jimmy Van Ostrand leads Cal Poly and the Big West with 12 home runs to go with his team-leading 47 RBIs.
All three games will be broadcast on ESPN Radio (1280 am) as well as on the Internet at www.GoPoly.com.