IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine Baseball has been voted 30th in Collegiate Baseball's preseason poll, which was released today by the publication.
The Anteaters return a formidable pitching staff, led by Big West All-Conference first-team honoree, Andrew Thurman, who was 8-3 last season with a 2.66 ERA. Thurman struck out 69 in 98 innings, posting four complete games, including three complete-game shutouts. The right-hander also became the fifth player in UCI history to fire a no-hitter and went on to hold opposing teams to a .195 batting average.
Closer Race Parmenter also garnered All-Big West honors last year after posting eight saves in 22 appearances. Pitching in two combined shutouts, the all-conference honorable mention was 1-2 with a 2.28 ERA and struck out 28 in 27.2 innings of work.
Right-hander Evan Brock returns for his junior year after boasting 2.12 ERA in 18 appearances for UCI in 2012. Brock struck out 25 in 34 innings while allowing just eight earned runs, limiting hitters to a .186 hitting clip.
Junior Jimmy Litchfield is expected to be a key cog on the UCI staff. Litchfield led the team in appearances with 29 and recorded 30 strikeouts in 45 innings. The southpaw made two starts on the mound and finished the year with a 3-2 mark and one save.
Junior Phillip Ferragamo added versatility to the Anteater team, making 11 appearances in relief and eight starts. The 6-9 righty recorded 40 strikeouts in 65.1 innings of work and was 3-5 on the mound to go along with a save.
Returning to the mound after utilizing redshirt seasons are Matt Whitehouse and Kyle Hooper. Whitehouse was undefeated at 4-0 in 2011, making 23 appearances and 12 starts. The crafty left-hander struck out 63 in 72. 1 innings and walked just 15. A 6-5 right-hander, Hooper was 3-1 with a 1.30 ERA before suffering an injury last season. He set down 28 batters and walked just three batters in 27.2 innings of work.
Catcher Ronnie Shaeffer returns to anchor the defense for the Anteaters. A 2011 American Baseball Coaches Association Gold Glove winner, Shaeffer utilized a redshirt year last season. As a junior, Shaeffer caught every game for UCI and added 55 hits with 31 RBI en route to earning All-Big West Conference first-team honors.
Connor Spencer is the team's top returning offensive threat. The sophomore batted .306 in his freshman campaign, driving in 37 runs on 68 hits. He tied for first on the team with five triples and scored 31 runs to sit third on the team.
Sophomore Taylor Sparks will also look to carry the offensive load. The third baseman was named a top prospect by Baseball America after helping the Wenatchee AppleSox win its fifth league title last summer. Sparks, who won the West Coast League Home Run Derby, saw action in 45 games as a freshman and knocked in 12 runs on 25 hits.
Senior Jeff Stephens will be a familiar face in the outfield. Stephens batted .288 with 45 hits and 20 RBI after transferring from Sierra College. He was fifth on the team with eight doubles and scored 22 runs.
UC Irvine hosts its annual Alumni Game, Jan. 26 and opens the season against Baylor in a three-game series, Feb. 15-17 at Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark.
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