« Baseball 2013

Carlos Lopez

School
Cal State Fullerton
Position
First Base
Major
Communications
AVG
.335
R
51
H
76
FLD%
.998
RBI
34

Classroom

On May 31, Carlos Lopez became just the second student-athlete in the history of the Cal State Fullerton baseball program, to earn Capital One Academic All-America honors, as he was named to the third team. A three-time Big West All-Academic selection (2010, 2011, 2012),he was named the Cal State Fullerton Male Scholar Athlete of the Year in back-to-back seasons in 2011 and 2012, and was also named to the Capitol One Academic All-District team in 2011 and 2013. Lopez has been named to the Dean’s List twice, and he currently boasts a 3.41 GPA. He has completed requirements for a Communications Entertainment degree, and recently completed a minor in American Studies. In the future, he hopes to play baseball professionally and possibly coach. Lopez is also considering enrolling in law school to become a sports agent.

Character

Lopez is an active role model for all his teammates on the Cal State Fullerton baseball roster. Lopez is able to set a good example for his younger teammates by exemplifying integrity in his actions on and off the baseball field. He is a tireless leader that takes the time to encourage and teach his teammates by using his past experiences. Lopez had to overcome a major knee injury as a freshman that ended his season. He rebounded with flying colors, and continues to reassure teammates who are recovering from injuries.

Community

During Lopez’s career with the Titans, he has participated in several community service events. With the CSF athletic department, he has spent his times visiting local elementary schools and reading to students. In addition, he has been involved in Challenger Camps and free baseball clinics to area youth. Also, while playing summer ball, he participated with an organization that read to children with disabilities.

Competition

Lopez and the Cal State Fullerton Titans clinched their fourth consecutive Big West championship with a sweep of UC Irvine. Lopez played a massive role in the sweep that clinched the Titans their 27th conference championship and the Big West’s automatic NCAA Tournament berth. Following the sweep, Lopez was named Big West co-Player of the Week with dramatic back-to-back walk-off home runs against the Anteaters.

The Titans’ starting first baseman leads the Titans in several offensive categories this season including; batting average (.333), runs scored (45), hits (69), and stolen bases (14). In addition, Lopez has totaled nine doubles, three triples and four home runs while driving in 32 runs.

During his career, Lopez has managed a .337 batting average and has played in 218 career games, which ranks eighth all-time at Fullerton. His 276 career hits tie for fourth all-time at Fullerton. In addition, he has totaled 138 runs scored, 51 doubles, 10 triples, 14 home runs, 152 RBIs, 89 walks and 34 stolen bases. Lopez’s 820 career at-bats rank fifth all-time at Fullerton, while his 218 games played rank eighth.

Lopez returned for his senior season after earning Big West Conference First Team honors in 2012 and hitting .317 while playing in all 57 games. The Titans’ starting first baseman has participated in three consecutive postseason appearances at CSF, including a run to the Super Regionals in 2010 during his freshman campaign.?

During the past four years with Lopez on the roster, the Titans have totaled a remarkable 168-64 (.724) record. As a redshirt freshman in 2010, Lopez was named to the Big West Conference second team, received freshman All-America honors, and was selected to the American Baseball Coaches Association All-West Region second team. Lopez has also performed at his best in the postseason, earning all-tournament nods at the Fullerton Regionals in 2010 and 2011, respectively.