THE COLLEGES : Cal State Fullerton Notebook / Robyn Norwood : Titans Even Surprise Their Coach : Garman Didn’t Expect Softball Team’s Success This Season

Judi Garman stands on the field and surveys her fourth-ranked Cal State Fullerton softball team, which is 37-9 and in first place in the Big West Conference with a 21-5 record.

Darned if she can figure out why.

The team’s earned-run average is 0.82, which sounds all right.

“For softball,� Garman says, “that’s a bit high.�

The team’s batting average is .275--nothing amazing.

And when a friend stopped by to watch practice and asked how many of the players in the infield were back from last year, Garman took a look and answered, “Two�--first baseman Missy Coombes and shortstop Jill Matyuch.

“It’s a constant amazement,� Garman said. “I really don’t know why we’re doing so well. When you look at us player for player against other outstanding teams, we just don’t have the outstanding players they do. But we do have a lot of very good players coming through for us.�

Coombes, a junior who hit .240 last season, is a prime example. She is batting .396 with 13 doubles, two triples, one home run and 23 runs batted in, nine more than any other Titan.

Carey Hess, a junior outfielder who bats leadoff, is another. She is batting .414, or 85 percentage points higher than last season, when she hit a not-so-shabby .329.

“She brings a lot of things to our offense,� Garman said. “She’s a slap hitter, an excellent drag bunter. She also has some power. She’s second on the team in doubles with eight.�

She got a couple of those Friday night in a doubleheader against San Jose State, leading off both games with doubles.

“She’s obviously having an All-American year at bat,� Garman said.

Defensively, she is much improved. After committing seven errors in 70 chances last season, she has made one error in her first 42 this season.

Despite a 21-5 conference record with seven more victories than second-place Fresno State, the Titans haven’t wrapped up the championship yet. Fresno State (14-4) is a game up in the loss column, and has a lot more games to go than the Titans. More pointedly, Fresno State, 37-9 overall, is ranked third in the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. poll, one spot above Fullerton.

The Titans get two more shots at the Bulldogs in a doubleheader Saturday at Fresno. After that, they’ll have to wait and see.

“We definitely have to win one of two up there,� Garman said. “But they’ve lost five of their past eight, and they just lost their 17-game winning streak up there. It will be a challenge--2,000 fans with everybody screaming and wearing red. We’ll go in hopes of winning one. If we win two, that will put us in the driver’s seat. . . . We were picked to finish fourth, and now we’re battling for first. That’s a real tribute to the young ladies.�

While the women’s gymnastics team was at the NCAA championships last weekend, where the Titans finished sixth, two Titan men’s gymnasts were competing as individuals in the men’s championships at Lincoln, Neb.

Eli Rodriguez finished seventh in the vault, missing All-American status by one place. Rodriguez also competed in the all-around, and finished 22nd.

Terry Carmicheal, competing on the rings, stumbled on his dismount and scored a 9.1, finishing far out of the running.

Several Titans have a chance to be taken in the National Football League draft, which begins Sunday, and none has a brighter outlook than defensive lineman Alex Stewart, who is considered a possible second-round pick after excelling at the NFL scouting combines.

Fullerton has had only two second-round picks in its history--offensive lineman Daren Gilbert (New Orleans, 1985) and cornerback Mark Collins (New York Giants, 1986)--and has never had a player drafted in the first round.

Others who might be drafted: defensive lineman A.J. Jenkins, linebacker Jerry Leggett, cornerback James Howard, punter Jim Sirois and offensive lineman Matt Fitts, who has been working out as a long snapper.

Heath Sims, a Woodbridge High School wrestler who is a two-time state champion, has signed a national letter of intent to attend Fullerton.

Sims, The Times’ Orange County wrestler of the year, pinned two of his opponents in the state tournament, winning the 138-pound title.

“We’re really excited to have Heath sign with us,� Fullerton Coach Dan Lewis said. “He probably will be a starter at 142 for us next year. He’s an outstanding wrestler, and he picked us over Arizona State and Oklahoma State.�

Titan Notes

J.J. Celestine, a wide receiver who had six receptions for 217 yards last season, injured a knee during spring football practice last week and is expected to miss the remainder of spring drills, which conclude with the May Bowl intrasquad game May 3. Celestine is expected to be healthy when fall drills open.