April 19, 2007
BLAIR ERICKSON NAMED TO NCBWA STOPPER OF THE YEAR MID-SEASON WATCH LIST
IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine’s Blair Erickson (Fair Oaks/Jesuit HS) has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) “Stopper of the Year” midseason watch list. Erickson, the NCAA all-time career save leader with 51, joins a group of 40 relievers from around the country.
Erickson is currently ranked fifth in the nation in saves and has been perfect in 11 save opportunities this season. The right-hander tied the NCAA career mark last week, preserving a 5-4 win against UCLA and claimed the record outright last Saturday in a 3-2 win against Cal Poly. Erickson has logged 14.2 innings, striking out 21 while allowing four earned runs on 10 hits.
The list will be pared down at the end of the regular season to the Division I leader in saves and four other relief pitching standouts. The finalists will be released Wednesday, May 30, prior to the start of NCAA regional action. The NCBWA’s All-America Committee will announce the winner Wednesday, June 6 prior to the start of the NCAA Super Regionals.
March 20, 3007
ETHERIDGE, HOLIDAY NAMED TO COLLEGE BASEBALL FOUNDATION WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine pitcher Wes Etheridge (Huntington Beach/Cypress CC) and outfielder Taylor Holiday (Dana Point/Arizona State) were named to this week’s College Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll.
Etheridge, who also earned Big West Pitcher of the Week honors, struck out a career-high eight batters and limited New Mexico to one run to improve to a Big West-leading 7-0 win-loss mark. Etheridge matched a career-high in innings pitched, dealing eight innings for the second consecutive game and scattered just six hits as UCI claimed the series win Saturday. A Lobo batter did not reach second base against Etheridge until the fifth inning and he set down seven straight before giving way to the UCI bullpen. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 1.44, leads the team with 39 strikeouts in 50 innings and is holding opposing batters to a .198 average.
Holiday went 7 for 14 (.500) in four games this week and slugged .714 to lead the team to a 4-0 mark. Holiday recorded six RBI, three doubles, two stolen bases and two sacrifice flies. Tuesday, Holiday recorded a sacrifice fly and doubled in a run off the bench taking over as the designated hitter in the sixth. Friday, the junior doubled to lead off the inning and stole home to give UCI a 1-0 lead. He doubled again in the second to give UCI a two-run lead and batted 3 for 4 with three runs scored. Sunday, Holiday again scored UCI’s first run in the first and followed with RBI singles in his next two at bats. He finished the day 3 for 5 with two runs scored. Holiday is batting .326 for UCI and is second with 21 RBI and third with 31 hits. He also tops UCI in doubles with 10 and triples with three.
March 19, 2007
WES ETHERIDGE NAMED BIG WEST PITCHER OF THE WEEK
IRVINE, Calif. --- Junior Wes Etheridge (Huntington Beach/Cypress CC) was named Big West Pitcher of the Week after recording his Big West-leading seventh win against New Mexico Saturday. Etheridge (7-0) struck out a career-high eight batters and limited the Lobos to one run. He hurled eight innings, matching a career-high for the second consecutive week and scattered just six hits as UCI claimed the series win. The Lobos did not reach second base against Etheridge until the fifth inning and he retired seven straight before handing the ball off to the UCI bullpen. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 1.44 and he leads the team with 39 strikeouts in 50 innings. Etheridge has yielded eight earned runs on 34 hits and is holding opposing batters to a .198 average.
It is Etheridge’s first Big West honor this season.
February 26, 2007
PITCHER BLAIR ERICKSON TIES BIG WEST MARK, EARNS CONFERENCE ACCOLADES
IRVINE, Calif. --- Senior Blair Erickson (Fair Oaks/Jesuit HS) was named Big West Pitcher of the Week after recording three saves this week and tying the Big West Conference career mark with 46 saves.
Over three appearances, Erickson struck out seven in 2.2 innings and did not yield a hit or a run. His three saves gave him a share of the top spot with former Long Beach State Dirtbag, Gabe Gonzalez, who set the record from 1992-95. The right-hander struck out the side against USC and Saturday issued a walk between a pair of strikeouts as UCI secured the series against Utah. Sunday, Erickson entered with one out in the ninth with runners on first and third. After loading the bases with a hit batsman, Erickson struck out the final two batters to end the Utes' threat. Erickson is holding batters to a miniscule .095 average and has struck out 13 in 6.1 innings. He has converted all six save attempts this season.
The honor is Erickson’s third of his career and is the second consecutive weekly award for UCI this season. Senior Matt Morris (Orange/Santa Ana CC) was named Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 19.
February 20, 2007
MORRIS TABBED COLLEGE BASEBALL FOUNDATION PLAYER OF THE WEEK
LUBBOCK, Tex. --- Senior Matthew Morris (Orange/Santa Ana College) was named a College Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll Player of the Week after blasting a .692 average to help the Anteaters come away with a road sweep against Houston last week. The outfielder hit 9 for 13 with four RBI, five runs scored, three doubles, a walk and a stolen base. Morris figured in several of the team’s key runs, helping to put the Anteaters on the board in the series opener and finale. He drove in game-tying runs twice over the weekend and scored the eventual game-winning run on Friday.
Morris leads the Big West with a .563 average and paces UCI with 18 hits with an eight-game hitting streak. His .622 on base percentage also tops the league, as does his .875 slugging percentage.
This is Morris’ first CBF award and he was also named Big West Player of the Week for the week of February 19.
February 19, 2007
MORRIS EARNS BIG WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
IRVINE, Calif. --- Senior Matthew Morris (Orange/Santa Ana CC) blasted a .692 average against Houston, hitting 9 for 13 with four RBI and five runs scored to earn Big West Conference Player of the Week accolades. Morris also had three doubles, a walk and a stolen base to earn his first conference honor.
Friday, Morris’ RBI single gave the Anteaters a 2-0 lead and in the fifth inning, he drew a walk and later scored the go-ahead run. Saturday, Morris was perfect at the plate with a 5 for 5 performance. His RBI double knotted the game for the Anteaters and he later singled and scored in a four-run seventh as UCI took the lead for good and captured the series. Sunday, the senior singled in the first to put the team on the board and he later singled and scored what would be the team’s eventual game-winning run in the third inning as UCI completed the sweep.
Morris leads the Big West with a .563 average and paces the Anteaters with 18 hits. The outfielder currently sports an eight-game hitting streak and he is tied for second on the team with four doubles and is second with 10 RBI. His .622 on base percentage also tops the conference as does his .875 slugging average.
UC Irvine travels to USC Tuesday (Feb. 20). Game time is slated for 6:00 p.m.
February 2, 2007
BLAIR ERICKSON SELECTED TO NCBWA STOPPER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST
IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine senior Blair Erickson (Fair Oaks/Jesuit HS) has been named to the third annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Award watch list. Erickson is one of 35 players from around the nation and just one of two from the Big West Conference to be in contention for the honor, given to the top relief pitcher in Division I baseball.
Erickson, named a preseason All-American earlier this year by the same organization, is UC Irvine’s all-time save leader with 40. The right-hander finished 13th in the country with 13 saves last season and is nine shy from tying all-time national leader Jack Krawcyzk (1995-98), who tallied 49 with Southern California. Erickson went 5-0 in his junior campaign and posted a 2.06 ERA, striking out 57 batters in 52.1 innings.
The watch list is comprised of players from 19 conferences and will be pared down to the Division I national leader in saves and four other standout relievers at the conclusion of the regular season. From the list of finalists, the NCBWA’s All-America Committee will announce a winner Wednesday, June 6, prior to the NCAA Super Regionals.
The Anteaters open the season this weekend (Feb. 2-4) at California.
January 9, 2007
UC IRVINE BASEBALL PICKED TO FINISH THIRD IN BIG WEST PRESEASON POLL
IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine has been picked to finish third in the Big West Conference, according to the 2007 preseason poll announced Tuesday by the league office. Cal State Fullerton collected seven first-place votes and 63 points as the Titans claimed the top spot in the poll. UC Riverside (50) was tabbed to finish second while the Anteaters received one first-place vote and 48 points. Long Beach State (43) finished fourth in the voting with Cal Poly (31) tabbed fifth. UC Santa Barbara (23) received the sixth-place nod and Pacific (22) and Cal State Northridge (8) were selected seventh and eighth, respectively.
UC Irvine, ranked 38th in Baseball America’s preseason poll, reached the NCAA Tournament last season for the second time since the program was reinstated in 2001-02. The Anteaters ended the season 36-24, recording the highest number of wins since 1980 (37), and also rewrote a school record with 107 stolen bases while posting a nine-game win streak, the longest in UCI’s Division I history.
Three All-Big West Conference selections return for the Anteaters as Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year Scott Gorgen (Concord/Clayton Valley HS) and Collegiate Baseball preseason All-American Blair Erickson (Fair Oaks/Jesuit HS) headline the pitching staff. Gorgen led the team with a 2.54 ERA and was 7-5 on the mound, striking out 87 batters in 110 innings. Erickson, UCI’s all-time leader with 40 career saves is nine away from tying the national record. He was 5-0 on the mound with 13 saves during his junior campaign. Cody Cipriano (Agoura/Westlake HS), also a Collegiate Baseball preseason All-American is the conference’s leading stat returner in four categories. UCI returns 17 letterwinners and has brought in a 19-player recruiting class that was ranked 14th by Baseball America and 22nd by Collegiate Baseball.
Head coach Dave Serrano’s Anteaters open the 2007 season February 2-4 at California.
January 4, 2007
UC IRVINE RANKED 38TH IN BASEBALL AMERICA PRESEASON TOP 50
IRVINE, Calif. --- Head coach Dave Serrano’s UC Irvine baseball program has been tabbed 38th in Baseball America’s Preseason Top 50 poll.
The Anteaters finished the 2006 season 36-24 overall, recording the program’s second-highest number of victories in Division I competition since 1980 (37-25-1). UC Irvine earned its second trip to the NCAA Tournament since its reinstatement in 2001-02 and saw four players honored on the All-Big West Conference teams, including Freshman Pitcher of the Year, Scott Gorgen (Concord/Clayton Valley HS). Last season, the Anteaters posted a nine-game win streak, the longest in UCI’s Division I annals and also set a school record with 107 stolen bases while the pitching staff logged the second-best ERA in the Big West at 3.45, which was also 15th-best in the nation.
UC Irvine returns 17 letterwinners, led by All-Big West selection Cody Cipriano (Agoura Westlake/Westlake HS), who led the team with a .354 batting average and 68 hits, and three-time all-conference pitcher Blair Erickson (Fair Oaks/Jesuit HS), the program’s all-time save leader (40). Also returning to the team is senior Matt Morris (Orange/Santa Ana CC), who was third on the team with a .304 average and junior Taylor Holiday (Dana Point/Arizona State), who was second on the team with 67 hits and 13 doubles.
Complimenting the returnees is a 2007 recruiting class that was ranked 14th by Baseball America and 22nd by Collegiate Baseball. The group of 19 talents includes 14 freshmen, four junior college transfers and one transfer from a four-year institution.
Rice earned top billing by the publication while Miami and Clemson took second and third, respectively. The Anteaters face six teams ranked in the Top 50 poll with UCLA, the highest-ranked opponent at No. 13. Cal State Fullerton (14th), Pepperdine (19th), UC Riverside (26th), San Diego (46th), and Southern California (29th) are also slated to face UC Irvine in 2007.
UCI opens its season against California, Feb. 2-4 at Evans Diamond in Berkeley.
December 22, 2006
UC IRVINE’S CIPRIANO, ERICKSON NAMED COLLEGIATE BASEBALL PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS
IRVINE, Calif. --- Seniors Cody Cipriano (Agoura/Westlake HS) and Blair Erickson (Fair Oaks/Jesuit HS) were selected to the Collegiate Baseball “Louisville Slugger” Preseason All-America third team, announced the Arizona publication Friday.
Cipriano, an All-Big West second-team selection last season, led the team and was third in the Big West with a .354 batting average. The infielder amassed 68 hits and 36 RBI in his junior campaign and was second on the team with four home runs and 16 stolen bases. Cipriano also sported a .455 on base percentage to claim fourth in the conference. He was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player and was tied for third in the Big West with 18 doubles while claiming seventh in slugging percentage at .521.
Erickson, who earned his third consecutive nod to Collegiate Baseball’s preseason All-America teams, posted a 2.06 ERA last season, recording 57 strikeouts in 52.1 innings of work. The right-hander recorded 13 saves and is currently sixth in the NCAA records with 40 career saves. Erickson posted a 5-0 record on the mound in 2006, making two starts in 29 appearances.
The Anteaters open the season February 2-4 at California.
November 28, 2006
UC IRVINE’S BLAIR ERICKSON, SCOTT GORGEN NAMED TO ROGER CLEMENS AWARD WATCH LIST
IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine senior Blair Erickson (Fair Oaks/Jesuit HS) and sophomore Scott Gorgen (Concord/Clayton Valley HS) have been named to the Roger Clemens Award preseason watch list. The annual award honors college baseball’s Pitcher of the Year and is administered by the Greater Houston Baseball Association, a non-profit organization. The list is comprised of sixty-two of the top college pitchers and will be presented at a gala dinner next July.
It is the third straight year that Erickson has earned a spot on the watch list. The right-hander, a three-time All-Big West Conference selection, returns as UC Irvine’s all-time save leader with 40. Erickson, who was also named to the Wallace Award watch list last week, is six saves away from tying the Big West Conference record and nine shy of the national mark. In 2006, Erickson was 5-0 on the mound with a 2.06 ERA. He struck out 57 in 52.1 innings and did not allow an earned run in 30.1 innings of work.
Gorgen had a stellar freshman season, earning Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year honors. The right-hander also was tabbed a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America. Gorgen led the team and was ranked 52nd in the nation with an ERA of 2.54. He was second on the team and eighth in the conference with 87 strikeouts. Gorgen posted a 7-5 record and combined for two shutouts last season.
Erickson and Gorgen are two of four representatives from the Big West Conference, joining Cal State Fullerton’s Wes Roemer and James Simmons of UC Riverside.
Previous winners of the Roger Clemens Award are Jered Weaver (Long Beach State), Luke Hochevar (Tennessee) and Andrew Miller (North Carolina).
November 21, 2006
UC IRVINE PITCHER BLAIR ERICKSON NAMED TO WALLACE WATCH LIST
IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine senior Blair Erickson (Fair Oaks/Jesuit HS) has been named to the 2007 Wallace Watch list, announced the College Baseball Federation in Lubbock, Texas. The Brooks Wallace Award is presented annually to the national college baseball player of the year. The list is comprised of 148 student-athletes, which will be paired down to 12 semi-finalists by late May. That list will be further trimmed to three finalists following the NCAA Super Regionals. The presentation of the Brooks Wallace Award will be televised by Fox Sports Network and Fox College Sports.
Erickson, a right-handed pitcher, is UC Irvine’s all-time save leader with 40 and sixth among the NCAA career leaders. The 6-1 standout was undefeated on the mound last season at 5-0 and ranked 13th in the country with 13 saves. Erickson struck out 57 batters in 52.1 innings of work and posted an ERA of 2.06. Over three seasons, Erickson has fanned 160 batters in 124.2 innings pitched and made 87 appearances for UCI. He enters the season with a lifetime ERA of 2.60 and 7-5 win-loss record.
UC Irvine opens the season with a three-game series at California February 2-4.
UC IRVINE BASEBALL SIGNS FIVE TO NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT IN EARLY SIGNING PERIOD
IRVINE, Calif. --- The UC Irvine Baseball program has signed five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, announced assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Sergio Brown. The recruiting class includes a second baseman, an outfielder and three pitchers.
“Coming off of our 22-player recruiting class in 2206 that was ranked 13th in the country by Baseball America, we knew this 2007 class would be much smaller in number,” said Brown. “Although small in number, it is large in talent. We identified and filled our needs with a right-handed hitting outfielder, who has tremendous speed, and a left-handed hitting infielder. We increased our pitching depth, and also signed a left-handed pitcher/outfielder, who has a chance to be a two-way guy. This group of student-athletes will compete for playing time as freshmen and make an impact in the Big West Conference. They add to the increased level of athleticism we’ve assembled with the last two recruiting classes. These guys are baseball players with grit and personality. They will fit perfectly into our system.”
Daniel Carroll -- Outfielder -- R/R -- 6-2 -- 185 -- Moreno Valley, CA/Valley View HS
Hit .418 with four home runs…totaled 30 stolen bases as a junior in 2006…batted .381 with 20 stolen bases as a sophomore...Most Valuable Player of the 2006 Daryl Kyle Tournament…two-time All Mountain View League first-team selection…2006 first-team All Riverside County…played for OC Atlanta Braves Scout Team.
Sean Parvin -- 2B -- 5-9 -- 165 -- Irvine, CA/Northwood HS
Hit .471 with 11 doubles…sported a .500 on-base percentage in 2006…won the Pacific Coast League batting title in 2006…All Pacific Coast League honoree.
Brent Bray -- SS/RHP -- R/R -- 6-0 -- 170 -- Yucaipa, CA/Beaumont HS
Hit .382 with 18 RBI…won seven games with 77 strikeouts in 55 innings pitched last season…hit .366 with 33 RBI and three home runs as a sophomore…also was a seven-game winner on the mound…recorded 55 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched…two-time first-team All-DeAnza League choice…All-Riverside County selection twice…second-team All-CIF…played in the North-South High School All Star Classic in Fresno.
Maverick Olivares -- OF/LHP -- L/L -- 6-1 -- 180 -- Hacienda Heights, CA/Bishop Amat HS
Hit .410 with 17 RBI…won four games on the mound…posted an ERA of 1.72 in 47 innings pitched as a junior...hit .375 as a sophomore…first-team All-Serra League…chosen Player of the Year at Bishop Amat High in 2006…voted to the All-Glendora Tournament first team.
Jake Morton -- RHP -- 6-3 -- 210 -- Fair Oaks, CA/Jesuit HS
Was 8-1 with 2.00 ERA…58 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched…first-team All Delta League...first-team All Sacramento as a junior…member of the 2006 Washington Nationals Area Code Team…selected to the Phil Nevin All-Tournament Team in 2006.
November 14, 2006
BLAIR ERICKSON NAMED PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN BY NCBWA
IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine All-American pitcher Blair Erickson (Fair Oaks/Jesuit HS) has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Preseason All-America team for the third consecutive year.
Erickson, a 2006-07 first-team selection, converted 13 saves to rank 13th in the country and first in the Big West in his junior campaign. The right-hander was 5-0 on the mound with a 2.06 ERA and struck out 57 batters in 52.1 innings. He allowed just 12 earned runs on 40 hits. Erickson made his first collegiate start last season against Cal Poly, striking out a career-high five batters in four innings.
Erickson is currently sixth in the NCAA records with 40 career saves and holds a career ERA of 2.60. He has struck out 160 batters in 124.2 innings.
Head coach Dave Serrano’s baseball team opens the season at California February 2-4, 2007.
October 11, 2006
UC IRVINE BASEBALL RECRUITING CLASS RANKED 14TH IN NATION BY BASEBALL AMERICA
IRVINE, Calif. --- Baseball America has recognized UC Irvine Baseball as having the 14th best recruiting class in the nation. The Anteaters, behind the efforts of assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Sergio Brown, have brought in 14 freshmen, four junior college transfers and a pair of four-year transfers. Baylor took top honors while South Carolina was tabbed second.
Baseball America has tabbed shortstop Luis Tovar, pitchers Christian Bergman, Reid Suitor, Daniel Bibona, Cory Hamilton and Wes Ehteridge as key recruits to watch at UC Irvine. Also mentioned by the publication is catcher Francis Larson.
Tovar, a prep from Kofa High School (Yuma, Ariz), was named a Top 100 Prospect by Baseball America. He posted a career average of .457 to set a school record and as a senior Tovar hit .492 with 42 hits and 20 RBI while totaling 18 stolen bases.
Bergman from St. Francis High School (La Canada, CA) went 10-2 on the mound and posted a 1.54 ERA last season. The 6-1 standout recorded 78 strikeouts in 77.3 innings and tossed seven complete games en route to Mission League MVP honors.
Suitor, pitched at Torrey Pines High School (Torrey Pines, CA), where he posted a 1.72 ERA. The right-hander hurled a perfect game as senior and finish the season allowing 21 earned runs on 62 hits in 85.2 innings. Suitor struck out 66 while going 7-1 on the hill with five complete games.
Bibona, a lefty from Santa Margarita High School (Lake Forest, CA) batted .429 while posting a 1.81 ERA on the mound en route to all-league and South County All-Star honors. Bibona struck out 69 in 46 innings and pitched a complete game to highlight a solid senior season.
Hamilton, from Sheldon High School (Elk Grove, CA) was named the fifth-best prospect in the Team One West Showcase. The two-time all-league choice recorded a 1.89 ERA as a senior and struck out 67 in 55.2 innings. Hamilton pitched five complete games, giving up just 15 earned runs.
Etheridge, a transfer from Cypress College (Huntington Beach, CA) was 8-1 last season with a 2.65 ERA. The right-hander struck out 66 in 78 innings while converting eight saves. Etheridge, a first-team all-conference choice, prepped at Huntington Beach High School, where he was the Sunset League’s Pitcher of the Year in 2003.
Larson joins the team from Esperanza High School (Yorba Linda, CA), led the team to a Sunset League title last season. The 6-0 standout chosen as the league’s Most Valuable Player after batting .364 driving in 21 runs on 32 hits.
The complete 2006 recruiting class is listed below.
Anthony Asaro…Utility…R/R…So…6-4…220…Pepperdine (Torrance, CA)
Nick Baligod...Outfielder...L/L...Fr…5-10...170...Fairfield HS (Fairfield, CA)
Christian Bergman...Pitcher/Infielder...R/R...Fr…6-1...170...St. Francis HS (La Canada, CA)
Daniel Bibona…Outfielder…L/L…Fr…5-11…160…Santa Margarita HS (Lake Forest, CA)
Tom Calahan...Pitcher...L/L...Jr…6-3...220...Santa Ana College (Santa Ana, CA)
Ramses Cardenas…Pitcher…L/L…Fr…6-2…180…Bellflower (Bellflower HS)
Jeff Cusick...Infielder...R/R...Fr…6-1…200...Santa Margarita HS (Rancho Sana Margarita, CA)
James Etheridge…Pitcher…R/R…Jr…6-1…175…Cypress College (Huntington Beach, CA)
Nick Farinacci...Shortstop...R/R...Fr…6-1...185...Agoura High School (Agoura, CA)
Ryan Fisher…Infielder…L/R…Fr…6-2…180…East Union High School (Manteca, CA)
Jason Fronczak…Infielder…R/R…Jr…6-2…219…Cypress College (Bishop, CA)
Chance Gerloff…Infielder…R/S…Jr…5-10…180…Eastern Oklahoma State (Freedom, OK)
Cory Hamilton...Pitcher...R/R...Fr…6-0...175...Sheldon High School (Elk Grove, CA)
Francis Larson...Catcher...R/R...Fr…6-0...200...Esperanza High School (Yorba Linda, CA)
Sean Madigan...Outfielder/Pitcher...L/L...Fr…5-11...180...Servite High School (Anaheim, CA)
Eric Pettis...Pitcher...R/R...Fr…6-1...190...El Camino Real High School (West Hills, CA)
Jarret Semler...Pitcher/Infielder...R/R...Fr…6-3...200...Glendora High School (Glendora, CA)
Reid Suitor…Pitcher...R/R...Fr…6-4...200...Torrey Pines High School (Torrey Pines, CA)
Luis Tovar...Shortstop...R/R...Fr…6-2...183...Kofa High School (Yuma, AZ)
September 22, 2006
UC IRVINE BASEBALL RECRUITING CLASS RANKED No. 22 BY COLLEGIATE BASEBALL
IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine’s 2006 recruiting class has been ranked 22nd by Collegiate Baseball. In an effort spearheaded by UCI assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Sergio Brown, the Anteaters have brought in a group of 19 talents, which includes 14 freshmen, four junior college transfers and one four-year transfer. Seven Top 40 teams are on the UC Irvine schedule with Southern California holding the highest spot at No. 5. Other teams slated to face the Anteaters include Cal State Fullerton (8th), UCLA (18th), Cal Poly (20th), California (24th), Pepperdine (33rd) and Washington (40th).
Anthony Asaro (Torrance/Pepperdine) prepped at West Torrance High School, where he was a four-time All-Bay League and all-area selection. He batted .374 as a senior with 22 RBI and 34 hits, including five home runs.
Nick Baligod (Fairfield/HS) was a three-time all-city selection. Baligod, an outfielder, was also a three-time team MVP and holds the school records for batting average (.520), on-base percentage (.625), hits (39), doubles (12) and saves (5), which he posted in 2005. Last season, Baligod totaled 31 hits, 30 RBI and batted .436 while hitting six home runs.
Pitcher/infielder Christian Bergman (La Canada/St. Francis HS) boasted a 10-2 record and a 1.54 ERA last season. The 6-1 standout fanned 78 in 77.3 innings and tossed seven complete games en route to Mission League MVP honors. Bergman was tabbed the Glendale News Press Player of the Year his senior season.
Pitcher Daniel Bibona (Lake Forest/Santa Margarita HS) is an All-Serra League selection and was named South County All-Star last season after batting.429 while posting a 1.81 ERA on the mound. Bibona struck out 69 in 46 innings while allowing just 12 earned runs.
Pitcher Tom Calahan (Mission Viejo/Saddleback CC) was 6-4 on the mound for Saddleback College and recorded 55 strikeouts in 89.2 innings. The southpaw posted a 3.51 ERA and helped the Gauchos to a state championship in 2004.
Infielder Jeff Cusick (Mission Viejo/Santa Margarita HS), led the team in batting average (.446), RBI (23), runs scored (22), doubles (12) and slugging percentage(.843) as a senior. He was named All-Serra League and also collected all-county honors.
Pitcher James Etheridge (Huntington Beach/Cypress CC) was 8-1 last season with a 2.65 ERA. The right-hander struck out 66 in 78 innings while converting eight saves.
Nick Farinacci (Agoura/HS), a 6-1 shortstop, was named All-Marmonte League and All-Ventura County twice. Farinacci hit .400 as a senior, driving in 30 runs while totaling 42 hits and six home runs.
Ryan Fisher (Manteca/East Union HS), a 6-2 infielder, was named All-Valley Oak League as a junior and senior. As a senior, he batted .317 with 20 hits and 14 RBI last season.
Jason Fronczak (Bishop/Cypress CC) posted a 3.62 ERA while going 2-0 on the mound last season for Cypress College. The 6-2 pitcher struck out 24 in 32.1 innings, allowing 13 earned runs on 27 hits.
Chance Gerloff (Freedom, OK/Eastern Oklahoma State) spent two seasons with the Mountaineers. Gerloff, a 5-10 infielder, posted a .330 career average with 111 hits and 59 RBI.
Cory Hamilton (Elk Grove/Sheldon HS) was the fifth-best prospect in the Team One West Showcase. The two-time all-league choice held a 1.89 ERA as a senior and struck out 67 in 55.2 innings. Hamilton pitched five complete games, giving up just 15 earned runs.
Francis Larson (Yorba Linda/Esperanza HS) was the All-Sunset League Most Valuable Player last season after batting .364 with 21 RBI. Larson totaled 32 hits, including seven doubles and also had four home runs to help Esperanza High School to a league championship.
Outfielder Sean Madigan (Yorba Linda/Servite HS) earned the Varsity Silver Slugger Award last season after winning the Varsity Gold Glove Award as a junior. Madigan hit .378 his senior year, totaling 34 hits and 16 RBI and was named to the Orange County Register first team.
Pitcher Eric Pettis (West Hills/El Camino Real HS) was the West Valley League Co-MVP as a senior. Pettis, a two-time all-league and all-city choice, was 6-2 on the mound while batting .500 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI.
Pitcher Jarret Semler (Glendora/HS) was named All-Sierra League in 2006. The 6-3 right-hander was a member of the San Diego Padres Scout Team in 2005 and also lettered in soccer.
Reid Suitor, (Torrey Pines/Torrey Pines HS) highlighted his senior season with a perfect game. The 6-4 right-hander held a 1.72 ERA, yielding 21 earned runs on 62 hits in 85.2 innings. Suitor struck out 66 while going 7-1 on the hill with five complete games.
Shortstop Luis Tovar (Yuma, AZ/Kofa HS) was tabbed a Top 100 Prospect by Baseball America. He posted a career average of .457 to set a school record and as a senior, Tovar hit .492 with 42 hits and 20 RBI while totaling 18 stolen bases.
September 13, 2006
UC IRVINE BASEBALL RELEASES 2007 SCHEDULE
IRVINE, Calif. --- Five 2006 NCAA Regional qualifying teams dot the UC Irvine baseball schedule in 2007, as announced by head coach Dave Serrano.
UC Irvine will face fellow Malibu Regional entrants, UCLA (Apr. 10, May 1) and Pepperdine (Feb. 27, May 15) twice each this season. San Diego, which competed in the Fullerton Regional, is scheduled for home-and-home contests (Mar. 6, May 8) and the Anteaters make a return trip to Houston (Norman Regional) Feb. 16-18 after hosting the Cougars last season.
UC Irvine opens the season against California for the fourth consecutive season and will face the Golden Bears at Berkeley (Feb. 2-4). UCI hosts Loyola Marymount twice (Feb. 9-10) then closes out the series in Los Angeles (Feb. 11). Following the series against Houston, the Anteaters travel to USC for the first of two meetings (Feb. 20, Apr. 17) before returning to Anteater Ballpark to host Utah in a three-game series (Feb. 24-25).
The team then travels to Washington (Mar. 2-4) to take on the Huskies for the fourth time in five years before kicking off an eight-game home stand that includes San Diego, Nevada (Mar. 9-11) , Portland (Mar. 13) and New Mexico (Mar. 16-18). The Anteater baseball program has not faced Portland or New Mexico since its reinstatement and defeated the Pilots, 4-3, in the last meeting in 1992. UCI and New Mexico last played in 1986 with the game ending in a 7-7 tie.
UCI continues its 56-game schedule at UNLV (Mar. 27) before kicking off Big West Conference action against perennial powers Long Beach State (Mar. 30-Apr.1) and Cal State Fullerton (Apr. 5-7) for the third straight season. Cal Poly (Apr. 13-15) and UC Santa Barbara (Apr. 20-22) follow on back-to-back weekends before UCI breaks from league play against UC Davis (Apr. 27-29). The Anteaters close out the conference season against Pacific (May 11-13), Cal State Northridge (May 18-20) and UC Riverside (May 25-27).
UC Irvine finished the season 36-24, posting the highest number of victories since 1980 and made its second trip to the NCAA Tournament in three years.
"We are pleased that this year’s non-conference schedule again will be challenging and will hopefully prepare us for our always-tough conference schedule," said Serrano.
September 7, 2006
HOLIDAY, AXELROD MEMBERS OF NBC WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS, SANTA BARBARA FORESTERS
UC Irvine's Taylor Holiday and Dylan Axelrod were members of the Santa Barbara Foresters, which won its NBC World Series last month with an 8-7 win over the Derby Twins. The Foresters jumped out to a 4-2 lead and broke open a game with a four-run fourth. The Twins added a run in the bottom of the fourth (4-3) and then rallied to close the gap to one with four runs in the eighth.
Over the season, Holiday batted .247, playing in 33 games and recording 24 hits and 13 run scored while driving in 11. Holiday was tied for third with 15 stolen bases and drew 13 walks.
Axelrod was undefeated at 5-0 and sported a 2.01 ERA. Axelrod, who will be a senior this fall at UCI, made 10 appearances and struck out 38 in 44.2 innings. The right-hander walked just seven and yielded 10 earned run on 33 hits.
