IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine adds to its important weekend at Anteater Ballpark with a special addition to Saturday's afternoon contest where it will honor the 2007 team that made a memorable run through the College World Series.
The 2007 Anteaters blew through the regular season with a 40-15-1 record as the 10th-ranked program earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament for a third time since being reinstated in 2002. UCI swept through the Round Rock Regional leaving No. 5 Texas in its wake with a pair of wins, and kept the momentum in the Super Regional round sweeping Wichita State capped by a walkoff double from Bryan Petersen to send the 'Eaters to the College World Series for the first time in program history.
After a one-run loss to start the CWS against No. 3 Arizona State, the stage was set for an elimination game with rival Cal State Fullerton that did not disappoint. Petersen played the hero again with a walkoff single in the 13th inning to end the longest game in CWS history as UCI sent their rivals packing after a 5-hour, 40-minute battle.
UCI and Arizona State went head-to-head again in another elimination game that brought more dramatics punctuated by a 10th-inning walkoff single from Ollie Linton to keep the dream alive for another day.
The 'Eaters finally bowed out to the eventual College World Series champions in Oregon State, 7-1. The Anteater baseball name had become a household fixture drawing the third and fourth largest crowds to Roseblatt Stadium in their final two CWS games with over 29,000 spectators each. The success translated to a No. 4 national ranking following the season highlighted by All-American recognition for Scott Gorgen, National Coach of the Year accolades to Head Coach Dave Serrano, and a record eight Anteaters being selected in the MLB Draft.
The team will be honored on the field in a ceremony prior to the game.
