UA pitchers to face stern test from Fullerton

Arizona Daily Wildcat Junior third baseman Kenny Corley (right) and the rest of the Arizona baseball team start a three-game series against the Cal State-Fullerton Titians today at 2:30 at Sancet Field. The 12th-ranked Titans will provide a good early test for the UA pitchers.

The Wildcats (5-2) play the 12th-ranked Titans (2-2) at 2:30 p.m. at Sancet Field. The two teams will meet again on Friday at 2:30 and Saturday at 1.

Despite allowing a school-record 480 runs with a team ERA of 7.40 last season, the team is optimistic this season.

"The pitching has not been a surprise," UA head coach Jerry Stitt said. "They've been throwing strikes, and that's how you win."

The differences from last year are like night and day. The Wildcats have allowed only 15 earned runs in seven games and have a team ERA of 2.18. Through those seven games no opposing hitter has had a triple or home run. Arizona starting pitchers have a co mbined 1.11 ERA.

Sophomore left-hander Rob Shabansky has not allowed a run in his two starts. All three starters in the New Mexico series set career-bests in strikeouts.

This weekend, however, the Wildcat pitchers will have their work cut out for them. The Titans have four starters hitting over .400 through four games and they're batting .300 as a team. Junior first baseman C.J. Ankrum is a preseason third-team All-Americ an selection by Baseball America.

"Fullerton's a good team, they always are year in and year out, and it will be a challenge for us," Stitt said.

Titan pitching, though, has declined since they won to the College World Series two seasons ago.

The staff has given up eight home runs in four games. Opponents have a slugging percentage of .500 against Fullerton and the pitching staff has a team ERA of 6.69.

"Sometimes you let the opponent dictate how you play, and you can't do that, and I think our guys understand that," Stitt said.

Stitt said he is pleased with Arizona's at-bats of late.

"(Senior Jeff) Gjerde started swinging a little better, as did (junior) Kenny Corley," Stitt said. "The guys have shown some patience at the plate. That discipline is one of the keys."

Arizona batters have drawn 41 walks in their seven games. Arizona used 12 walks in their 6-4 win against New Mexico on Saturday. So far, the Wildcats are averaging 5.86 walks a game, as opposed to an average of 4.02 last season.

Sophomore right hander Darrell Hussman (1-0) will pitch today. Sophomore left hander James Johnson (2-0) will pitch Friday's contest and sophomore left hander Rob Shabansky will get the call Saturday.