IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine Baseball has joined Team IMPACT, a national organization that aims to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses.

Gavin Rowe, a cheerful, nine-year old has been signed by the Anteaters. "Getting to know Gavin and the Rowe family has been an absolute privilege for our baseball team," said senior Mitchell Holland. "Every day that Gavin comes out to a game or scrimmage, there's a different energy in the ballpark, and it's special. He inspires us every day to take nothing for granted and enjoy the moment on and off the field. I hope as a team we're able to give Gavin even a fraction of joy in his life, because he's deeply impacted our lives forever."

Gavin, an avid baseball player, participated with the Anteaters' during the team's Halloween practice in October. Gavin, who hails from Mission Viejo, Calif., was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was four. The third-grader is currently undergoing treatment and continues to be an inspiration to the Anteaters.

Team IMPACT was established in 2011 and has matched over 700 children with collegiate teams at over 300 institutions in 43 states, improving the quality of life of hundreds of courageous children and touching the lives of over 20,000 student athletes.

For more information on Team IMPACT, visit www.GoTeamIMPACT.org.