Clutch-hitting Carlos Lopez surely deserves to be remembered among Cal State Fullerton's all-time baseball greats, but perhaps never more so than during his 2013 senior season when he was the leading figure in dismantling the upstart UC Irvine Anteaters. "I remember the weekend pretty well," Lopez said. 

Entering the three-game series against Mike Gillespie-led UCI, the Titans were ranked #4 in the nation, with a 17-4 record in conference play, and holding a two-game lead over Cal State Northridge. Perennial rival, UCI, was 13-8 in Big West play coming into Goodwin Field, hoping to cut into the Titans' lead, and knowing that it was perhaps their final opportunity to impress the NCAA Tournament selectors for an at-large bid.    

The series was drawing television interest, with ESPNU broadcasting game one, Fox Sports West showing game two, and Big West TV streaming the finale.   
 
Game One
Hitless entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Titan bats exploded for five runs in that inning, defeating UCI by a score of 5-2 in the Friday series opener. 

One of the keys to the opening game win was Carlos Lopez's 14-pitch, two-out at-bat. After fouling off nine consecutive pitches, Lopez laced an RBI single to right field, giving the Titans a 3-2 go-ahead lead that they wouldn't relinquish. 

Game Two
With the Titans scoring two runs in the third inning, Fullerton held the lead until the top of the ninth, when Irvine tied the score. More two-out magic ensued on that Saturday night when Carlos unloaded with a walk-off solo home run to win the game. He went 2-for-4 that night, scoring two runs and adding his second RBI of the series. 

Lopez remembered: "I was due up third to bat. And I remember the leadoff guy swinging out of his shoes and striking out. And as I was on deck, I could see that the second guy was doing the exact same thing.

"Coach Hooky popped his head out of the dugout and looked at me and said, 'Show these guys how to hit a walk-off home run.' I wasn't much of a power hitter, but I told myself to look for an elevated change-up, and try to drive it as far as I could to the middle of the field. I knew that if I had that approach, and if I caught anything out front, I would probably pull it over the fence."

Game Three
On Sunday afternoon, the Titans found themselves in a hole, trailing UCI 5-4 heading into the bottom of the 9^th inning. Scratching to get Jake Jefferies and Richy Pedroza on base, once again, 'Eater Killer, Carlos Lopez, came to the plate. Improbably, he connected for his second consecutive walk-off home run, giving Cal State Fullerton a 7-5 victory and series sweep. 

Lopez recalled, "I told myself, well, if it worked for me on Saturday, I might as well try it again on Sunday.  I was sitting change-up again, hoping to elevate something. I thought I hit the ball solid, but not as good as I did on Saturday. I was just staring at that outfielder, and hoping, as he got closer and closer to the wall. Then, when it went out, I was absolutely as excited as I've ever been on a baseball field."

Over 7,000 college baseball fans would see the Titans and Anteaters play that weekend, with Lopez garnering four hits, scoring four times, and bashing in five runs, which included two walk-off, game-winning home runs. 

Sr. Associate Athletics Director Emeritus, Steve DiTolla, described it as "One of the greatest performances in Titan baseball history."

The Titans would finish the regular season at an incredible 48-8, claiming the #5 seed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. Cal State Fullerton head coach Rick Vanderhook would be named Big West Coach of the Year.

Fullerton would host their bracket of the NCAA Regional competition at Goodwin Field. Sweeping Columbia and Arizona State twice, the Titans advanced to the Super Regional, which also took place at Goodwin Field. Unfortunately for the Titans, their luck ran out against UCLA, as they lost in consecutive games, enabling the Bruins to advance to the College World Series in Omaha, which they went on to win.    

The 6'2", left-handed-hitting Lopez would receive several honors in 2013, including:

• ABCA / Rawlings All-West Region, Second Team
• ABCA / Rawlings Gold Glove (First Base)
• Big West Conference Co-Player of the Year
• All-Big West Conference, First Team
• Senior CLASS Award Winner
• Capital One Academic All-American

Lopez was selected in the 10^th round of the 2013 Major League draft by the Miami Marlins.  Entering the 2026 season, Lopez ranks in the Titan record book #4 all-time in hits with 287, and #9 in total bases with 402. 

About that 2013 team, Lopez remarked, "I would have to say that is probably one of the greatest group of guys that I have played with.  That team as a whole was so impressive, and I was so glad to be part of it. 

"I know the end goal is always to win in Omaha, and we fell short, but I would still argue that team has to be one of the better teams in Fullerton history."

Carlos lives in Bella Vista, Arkansas, where he works as a private baseball instructor.  He enjoys his afternoons working with the kids, and spends his afternoons working out, playing pickleball, or fishing.