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Prophetic slogan works for Titans
By JOE RUFF
Associated Press Writer
College World Series
Notebook
<View previous day's notebook>
OMAHA Cal State Fullerton
first baseman P.J. Pilittere walked into the news conference after his
team's 3-2 victory over Texas on Sunday with a large sign written on tape
stuck across the front of his shirt.
The sign said, ``Think how
good it's gonna feel.''
Pilittere used the saying all
through the season while Cal State struggled. The Titans opened the season
15-16. He began writing the saying down in the dugout during the NCAA
regionals.
``Our guys really bought in to
it,'' Pilittere said.
Coming from behind to win the
College World Series championship was a microcosm of the their season,
Pilittere said.
``We just found a way, and it
feels pretty good right now,'' Pilittere said.
TERMINATING THE HORNS:
The Terminator backed the Titans all the way.
Movie star, former body
builder and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sent Cal State Fullerton a
fax Friday that was read to the team at breakfast Saturday. Schwarzenegger
congratulated the Titans on their focus and dedication.
``As a former professional
athlete, I understand the remarkable discipline and perseverance it takes to
compete at the highest level,'' Schwarzenegger said.
``Your success is a grand slam
for our Golden State, and I say, 'Go Titans!' as you begin the title
series.''
DOING WHAT IT TAKES:
After failing to gain admission to Saturday night's game, the family of
Texas pitcher Sam LeCure made sure they got to see their relative start
Sunday.
About 30 of LeCure's
relatives, including six of his seven siblings, were standing in the right
field general admission line at about 6:30 Sunday morning.
``Our brother is pitching
today, so we're going to make sure we see this game,'' said Mike LeCure of
Jefferson City, Mo. ``We weren't going to leave anything to chance.''
The LeCure gang was actually
third in line.
The Grajczyks of Bellevue were
first in line. Leah Grajczyk said her family slept in their car outside the
stadium so they could get a good spot in line. The Grajczyks, who are Texas
fans, were joined in line by their neighbor, 12-year-old Jake Perez.
Although from Nebraska, Perez
was decked out in Texas garb.
``We turned him into a
Longhorn,'' Grajczyk said.
TITHING FOR PARKING?:
The College World Series has been a boon for a Roman Catholic church just
three blocks south of Rosenblatt Stadium.
St. Rose Catholic Church
relies on parish volunteers to help fit about 200 cars into its parking lot,
at $10 per game and $15 for a day.
The church raised about
$25,000 this year. The money will be used to help renovate the front of the
church, said the Rev. Rodney Adams, pastor at St. Rose.
``It's better than spaghetti
dinners,'' Adams said of the CWS as a fund-raiser.
The church has been charging
money for parking at the CWS for about 11 years. Proceeds also have gone
into the parish's general fund and to help subsidize Catholic education.
RECORD SAFE:
The crowd of 21,392 Sunday was more than 3,000 short of what was needed to
set a tournament attendance record. A total of 256,730 fans came through the
gates at Rosenblatt Stadium, an average of 23,339 per session.
The attendance record for the
series was set last year with 260,091 fans.
Copyright 2004
The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
02/23/2007 10:37:44 AM
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