Jan. 31, 2013

CBI Big West Preview

Titans top Big West Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Cal State Fullerton was picked to repeat as champion in the Big West Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, in voting by the league’s head coaches as released by the conference office.

The Titans, under head coach Rick Vanderhook (pictured), received nine first-place votes and 99 points to finish comfortably ahead of second-place UC Irvine. The Anteaters picked up the remaining first-place vote and amassed 82 points. Long Beach State took third, followed by Cal Poly, UC Santa Barbara, conference newcomer Hawaii, UC Riverside, Cal State Northridge, UC Davis and Pacific.

Cal State Fullerton won its 26th Big West crown in 2012 and 10th in the past 14 seasons. The Titans earned their 34th NCAA Tournament bid. Cal State Fullerton returns All-American Michael Lorenzen and Big West Freshman of the Year, Matt Chapman, as well as all-conference performers Richy Pedroza and Carlos Lopez.

UC Irvine has some key arms returning from a season ago. Andrew Thurman was 8-3 in 2012 with a 2.66 ERA. He was First Team All-Big West. Closer Race Parmenter also earned all-conference honors, notching eight saves in 22 appearances.

The 2013 campaign begins on Friday, Feb. 15, with all 10 teams in action. Conference play kicks off the weekend of March 28-30. The winner of the regular-season title earns the Big West’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

2013 Big West Preseason Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2012 BWC, Overall Records)

1. Cal State Fullerton 99 (9) (17-7, 36-21)

2. UC Irvine 82 (1) (13-11, 31-25)

3. Long Beach State 75 (15-9, 28-27)

4. Cal Poly 68 (16-8, 36-20)

5. UC Santa Barbara 58 (10-14, 28-28)

6. Hawaii 57 (10-8 WAC, 30-25)

7. UC Riverside 38 (9-15, 22-32)

8. Cal State Northridge 34 (10-14, 23-30)

9. UC Davis 25 (12-12, 27-30)

10. Pacific 14 (6-18, 16-40)

(head shot courtesy of Cal State Fullerton Media Relations Office, action photo by Matt Brown)