Baseball Begins New Era Under Ben Orloff
July 16, 2018 | Baseball
IRVINE, Calif. --- Anteater baseball has a new head of its program with the introduction of its ninth head coach, Ben Orloff, taking the reins following the retirement of Hall of Fame coach Mike Gillespie at the end of the 2018 season.
"I feel very fortunate to be the next head coach at UC Irvine. The opportunity to work for Coach Gillespie over the last five years has been a great learning experience. UC Irvine is a special place to me and we hope to continue a culture and tradition that will make our university, community, and alumni proud."
Orloff joined the Anteater coaching staff prior to the 2014 season as an assistant coach, and rose up to associate head coach over his five years on staff. During the 2018 season, he was named one of the top 10 assistant coaches in the college game for 2018 by Baseball America. Prior to his coaching career, Orloff brought with him a healthy resume from pro ball in the Houston Astros organization as well as being one of the most decorated players in UC Irvine baseball history:
+ 2009 Brooks Wallace Award winner for the nation's best shortstop
+ First ABCA Gold Glove Award winner in program history
+ First Big West Player of the Year in program history
+ Three-time All-American
+ Program reached the postseason in all four seasons he was an Anteater
+ All-time program leader in games played, hits, runs, sacrifice bunts, and is second in stolen bases. Hit .320 over his Anteater career
+ NCAA recordholder for sacrifice bunts in a season (34 in 2007) and over a career (86)
+ Drafted in the 9th round of the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Houston Astros
+ Played 355 games over 5 seasons of pro ball reaching as high as Double-A
GET YOUR SEASON TICKET DEPOSIT
Show your excitement for Coach Orloff and the team by placing your Season Ticket Deposit now! Deposit holders will receive priority in choosing season seats for the 2019 season. Click here to reserve your space today!"
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
UC Irvine Athletics is proud to introduce UCI Baseball Alum, Ben Orloff, as the Anteaters' 9th Head Baseball Coach. You can show your support for this new era of UCI Baseball with a tax-deductible donation to the UCI Baseball program.
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