By Bill Sheehan

As he prepares to face UCLA on Friday night, Cal State Fullerton pitching ace Mikiah Negrete knows this won't be a typical game. Instead of taking place at Goodwin Field or Jackie Robinson Stadium, the 6 p.m. contest will be held at Angel Stadium.

"This is a big-time event, with an atmosphere that is hard to create anywhere else. It's a blessing that the schools set it up," said Negrete, a sophomore lefthander. "A lot of us see the Big A as the kind of venue where we want to play someday."

Eli Lopez, the Titans' third baseman, has similar thoughts. "Playing in a big league park is special. This will be a good opportunity for the team. I'm really looking forward to it."

Fullerton and UCLA have both struggled this season. The Titans, who are 13-28 overall and 5-16 in the Big West, have lost seven straight games. The Bruins have lost nine of their last 10 and are 14-28 overall and 6-18 in the Pac-12. The evening at Angel Stadium should provide for some unforgettable moments for both teams.      

"The players are excited to have the opportunity to play in a major league stadium. The score will be 0-0 at the start, and both teams will be competing and enjoying the moment," said Jason Dietrich, who led Fullerton to the NCAA Tournament last season.

The Angels organization spearheaded efforts to set up the game, said Greg Paules, Fullerton's senior associate athletics director. "The Angels are hosting more college and high school games. We have a good partnership with the Angels, and this is an opportunity to widen both of our fan bases. Playing on a bigger stage will be a cool experience."

All fans in attendance will receive a free voucher for a future Angels home game. The teams will also square off at 4 p.m. Saturday at Fullerton and 2 p.m. Sunday at UCLA.

It's been 25 years since the Titans last played at the Big A. On April 4, 1999, the Angels defeated Cal State Fullerton, 2-1, in an exhibition game before 17,745 fans. Kevin Costner, a Fullerton graduate, played shortstop through seven innings and pitched to two batters in the eighth, striking out one.

Dietrich, who is in his third season at Fullerton, said it's been a year of growth. The team lost several key players from last year's playoff team.

"We have a lot of new guys, and they're still learning how to win and become more consistent.  At times, the guys try to do too much. But they are gaining valuable experience. Growing and maturing is what Division 1 baseball is all about."

Have the players given up on the season? No way, said Lopez and Negrete.

"We are in a little bit of a rut, that happens in baseball," said Lopez, a sophomore from Whittier. "We must stay positive, continue to compete and remember why we play this game – it's fun."

The Titans just need to "get after it," said Negrete, who is from Oceanside and is called Kai by his family and teammates. "Every time we step onto the field, it's an opportunity to win and better ourselves."

ELI LOPEZ

The 5-foot-9 Lopez had a promising freshman year for the Titans, hitting .311 while starting 11 games, primarily at second base. Shifting to third baseman this season, he's hitting .300 and leading the team in runs (28), hits (48) and doubles (10) while assuming the leadoff spot.

"Eli is a grinder and plays with passion," said Dietrich. "He's done a great job this year. He can play second, shortstop of third. He's been solid at third – he is playing hard and learning the position."

Lopez said he's become more comfortable in the hot corner. "The angles are different. The ball comes in faster; it can also come in slower. It's been a challenge, which has pushed me to be better."

His father, Gabe, played baseball at San Jose State before being drafted by the New York Yankees. A second baseman, he rose to the AA level during six years in the Yankees minor league system.

"He's given me good advice over the years," said Lopez. "He's always reminded me to keep my head up and play the game hard. He played it very hard. I try to play like every game like it's my last game. And I've learned to be a good teammate and enjoy the experience – it's a game, and it should be fun."


At Los Altos High in Hacienda Heights, Eli Lopez was First Team All-League as a junior and senior.

A special education and baseball co-head coach at Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights, Gabe said he didn't pressure his son to play baseball. "He's always done his own thing. All I can do is share my experiences. My wife and I support him. As a dad sitting in the stands, it has been fun."

Lopez began playing T-ball as a 4-year-old and competed in youth soccer and football. But he opted for a baseball career, advancing to Little League and travel teams. At Los Altos High, he was First Team All-League as a junior and senior and was named the school's Defensive MVP as a junior and Team MVP as a senior. Los Altos won a league championship his junior year, and he earned Second Team All-CIF as a senior.

Lopez wasn't highly recruited out of high school. He attended a Cal State Fullerton prospect camp, where it was suggested he spend time in the weight room. He made a bigger impression at his second camp.

"I love playing for Deets – he gave me the opportunity to compete. He is a very competitive guy and knows what it takes to win. He's not showing any signs of giving up on us. He and the whole staff are fighting for us." 

Lopez's mother, Laura, is an occupational therapist. He has an older sister, Destiny, and a younger one, Emma. Destiny is studying child development at Long Beach State, and Emma is a freshman infielder for the University of Texas at Arlington's softball team.

A kinesiology major, he enjoys ocean fishing and hanging out with friends and family. The 19-year-old's goal is to play professional baseball. Further down the line, he would like to stay in the game or work in athletics in general.

MIKIAH NEGRETE

A transfer from the University of San Diego, Negrete didn't take long to make his presence felt. He became the Saturday starting pitcher in mid-February before being promoted to the Friday night starter job in early March.

Negrete, whose full name is pronounced muh-KAI-yah neh-GRET-ai, allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings in a 2-1 loss at 11th-ranked East Carolina on March 2. Six days later, in his first outing as the Friday night starter, he gave up one run in six innings in a 12-2 win over Jacksonville. He's remained as the Titans' ace ever since.

"Kai separated himself in January and soon after earned a spot on the weekend. Then he took over the Friday role in March. Not having pitched a lot last year, he's doing everything he can to compete and give his best effort," said Dietrich.

The 6-foot-1 Negrete has a fastball, slider and changeup in his repertoire. "I developed the slider over the winter, and it has been a mainstay in my arsenal. The changeup is a work in progress," said Negrete, who is 4-3 with a 4.45 ERA. He leads the team in wins, innings pitched (62 2/3) and strikeouts (49). 

"There are a lot more eyes on you on Friday nights, so there is more pressure. On the plus side, I can build a weekly routine with the lifting and throwing programs. But I have to prove myself every time I take the mound."

Max Ortega, the Titans' sophomore catcher, said Negrete has been an important figure for the Titans. "Kai definitely had a role immediately as a leader on the field and in the clubhouse.

"He did a good job asserting himself as our Friday night guy. He attacks the hitters. When he is on the mound, we always have a chance to win."

"He commands the fastball well and can go inside and outside. And he keeps the batters off balance with his other pitches," said Ortega, who hails from Stockton. "Off the field, he is a good clubhouse presence and a friend, someone who lightens the mood."


Mikiah Negrete pitched and played first base at Servite High in Anaheim. He earned First Team All-League honors as a junior and senior.

Like Lopez, Negrete played T-ball and Little League before competing on travel teams. He was a two-way player at Servite High in Anaheim, pitching and playing first base. He earned First Team All-League honors and Team Most Valuable Pitcher as a junior and senior. Negrete had a 1.54 ERA in his senior year.

He also played water polo at Servite freshman before going all in on baseball as a sophomore.

Negrete spent his freshman year at the University of San Diego, where he had a 2-3 record and 6.48 ERA as a reliever. "I didn't feel like San Diego was a good fit for me," said Negrete, who entered the transfer portal after the season. "Fullerton checked all my boxes, and I've had a great time being here. I love the team and the coaches, the field is nice, and the fans are great."

The 20-year-old Negrete, who aims to play professional ball, is a pre-econ major. "I'm excited about the program," he said. 

His father, Eric, owns a commercial patio business, and his mother, Heather, is a homemaker. His older brother, Elijah, works at Mammoth Mountain. 

Negrete enjoys backpacking with family members, especially in the eastern Sierra. And he likes spending time on the coastline. "I've spent my whole life going to the beach. I pretty much grew up there, and it's part of me."
 

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