Fullerton to offer early test for UNLV

Friday, Feb. 14, 2003 | 9:32 a.m.

The third-ranked baseball team in the country visits UNLV this weekend, but Rebels coach Jim Schlossnagle said that rating isn't an accurate gauge of Cal State Fullerton.

To Schlossnagle, the Titans (6-0) are tops. In fact, as one of 41 coaches who votes in the weekly USA Today/ESPN poll, he ranked Fullerton No. 1 on this week's ballot.

"They have two of the premier pitchers in the country, in (starter) Wes Littleton and closer Chad Cordero," Schlossnagle said. "They swept Stanford, and that doesn't happen too often, and they swept Fresno State.

"I know their staff, and I think they do a better job of playing the games than most people. A place like that is certainly what we're trying to become ... it's why you play them, to measure where you are and where they are, and, hopefully, catch up."

The Titans have won three national titles. Last year in Fullerton, they swept the three-game series against UNLV by a combined 41-4 score, and they have a 10-game winning streak against the Rebels.

Tonight's opener starts at 6:30 at Earl E. Wilson Stadium, and Fullerton can record its first 7-0 start with a victory. The series continues Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.).

In its first two series this season, UNLV (5-1) has received a boost from junior infielder Eddie Gill. He is hitting .545, and his eighth-inning grand slam last Sunday broke a 9-9 tie against the College of Charleston to secure a sweep of the Cougars.

"It's exciting to see him come on," Schlossnagle said.

Moreover, an untested bullpen has been bolstered by the performances of sophomore James Thompson, senior Ryan Braun and junior Shane Clatterbuck.

The marquee duel will occur when Rebels ace lefty Robbie Van (0-0, 2.70 ERA) faces Littleton (1-0, 1.88) tonight, and Schlossnagle expects many pro scouts to evaluate the two starters.