Fullerton to Open Series Saturday Against Miami

Cal State Fullerton plays the University of Miami Saturday in the first round of the College World Series at Omaha, Neb.

Fullerton, which advanced by winning the South Regional, is making its fifth appearance in the College World Series and first since 1984.

The Titans reached the College World Series in 1975, ‘79, ’82 and 1984, winning in the title in 1979 and 1984.

The first four appearances were with Coach Augie Garrido, who resigned after last season to become the coach at Illinois. Larry Cochell succeeded Garrido.

Fullerton (41-16) is seeded sixth and Miami (51-12-1), which won the title in 1982 and ‘85, is seeded third. The game starts at 5:10 p.m.

Defending champion Stanford, seeded seventh, plays No. 2 Fresno State (56-10) at 2:10 p.m. in a first-round game Saturday.

Play starts Friday with top-seeded Arizona State (56-11) facing No. 8 California (40-23) at 2:10 p.m. in an all Pacific-10 Conference matchup.

No. 5 Wichita State (54-14-1) will play No. 4 Florida (47-17-1) at 5:10 p.m. Friday in another first-round game.

The double-elimination tournament will end with the championship game June 11.

Arizona State, which won the championship in 1965, ‘67, ‘69, ’77 and ‘81, qualified for the College World Series by winning the West II Regional on its home field. California won the Central Regional at Austin, Tex. Stanford won the Northeast Regional at New Britain, Conn.

Florida won the East Regional at Tallahassee, Fla., and Miami won the Atlantic Regional at Coral Gables, Fla.

Wichita State won the Midwest Regional at Stillwater, Okla., and Fresno State won the West Regional at Fresno.