COLLEGE NOTES : Titans Fifth in Preseason Baseball Poll

Cal State Fullerton is ranked fifth in the preseason Collegiate Baseball-ESPN poll, which was released Thursday.

The Titans received 484 points in voting conducted by coaches, sportswriters and sports information directors. Wichita State, which lost to Louisiana State in the College World Series championship game, is ranked first.

Fullerton is coming off a 34-22 season and were co-champions of the Big West Conference, but were snubbed in favor of Fresno State in a bid for an NCAA playoff berth.

Top returning players include Jason Moler, a third baseman last season who will be converted to a catcher, and Phil Nevin, who will return to third base after playing shortstop.

The Titans will open the 1992 season Feb. 3 at home against UCLA.

In addition to Fullerton, six other California schools are ranked in the Top 25: Cal State Long Beach (sixth), Pepperdine (seventh), Cal State Northridge (11th), Stanford (14th), USC (18th) and California (22nd).

Despite his team’s 3-7 record, Cal State Northridge senior offensive tackle Don Goodman was named to the Associated Press Little All-America team Thursday.

“I’m excited,� the Huntington Beach High graduate said by phone from Phoenix. “I didn’t really think I had a good chance. I was thinking since we didn’t have as much success that guys wouldn’t be noticed.�

Northridge Coach Bob Burt said: “It stands to reason. The guy was a first-team All-American in high school and a first-team All-American in junior college (Cerritos), so he would be a first team Division II All-American.�