Fresno State Athletics
No. 1 Cal State Fullerton (50-11)
5/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Location: Fullerton, Calif.
Conference: Big West
Enrollment: 30,357
Nickname: Titans
Colors: Navy Blue, Orange & White
President: Dr. Milton A. Gordon
Athletics Director: Brian Quinn
Senior Woman Administrator: Dr. Maryalyce Jermiah
Head Coach: Michelle Gromacki (CS Fullerton, 1987)
School Record: 143-40 (3 years)
Career Record: Same
Assistant Coaches: Terry Schweikert, Erika Blanco
2002 Record: 50-11
2002 USA Today/NFCA Final Regular-Season Ranking: No. 9
NCAA Regional Appearances: 19th
WCWS Appearances: 6 (16-10, .612)
NCAA Postseason Tournament Record: 18 years (47-35, .573)
NOTES: This is the 21st regional appearance in the 23-year history of Cal State Fullerton softball as the Titans have advanced to the postseason in each of the last four years. Fullerton is 34-27 overall in regional play and 56-41 overall in postseason play dating back to 1980.
Cal State Fullerton has faced four of its five regional opponents this season, posting a 2-0 record against Fresno State, a 1-0 record against California, a 1-2 record against Pacific and an 0-3 record against Stanford. This will be the first-ever meeting between the Titans and Evansville.
In the postseason, Cal State Fullerton is 1-1 all-time against Fresno State, defeating the Bulldogs, 2-1, in 1987 at the College World Series and falling, 4-3, at the 2000 regionals, also hosted by Fresno State.
The Titans and Golden Bears also have postseason history as Cal State Fullerton leads that series in the "second season," 4-3. The Titans earned wins in 1981 by the scores of 3-2 and 3-1 in regionals and 1-0 at the AIAW Nationals as well as a 3-0 win in the national championship year of 1986. Cal came out on top in a pair of wins in 1980 (1-0 and 4-0) and also by the score of 3-2 at the 2000 regionals in Fresno.
Overall, Cal State Fullerton is 21-11 against California, 29-35 against Fresno State, 45-24 against Pacific and 3-9 against Stanford.
The Titans finished the 2002 regular season with a 50-11 overall record and a 22-2 mark in the Big West. Fullerton won 32 consecutive games at one point in the season and has won 41 of its last 43 contests, finishing the year with a nine-game winning streak.
