UCI still diamond in rough

Missouri, which dropped the opening game to Pepperdine, 3-2, rebounded to win the next four. After slipping past UCI, the Tigers eliminated UCLA, 2-1, then beat Pepperdine, 4-1, on Sunday to force Monday's deciding game. Mizzou defeated the Waves, 8-3, Monday to advance.

But for a lack of some of UCI's trademark small-ball execution Saturday, it may have been Missouri living vicariously through the fortunes of the advancing Anteaters.

But, as Serrano said, anyone can play the coulda, woulda, shoulda game.

Among Serrano's other postgame comments after the Missouri loss, was a tribute to this team and a pledge for the future.

"As disappointed as I am right now, I'm very, very proud of this team, my coaching staff and everyone associated with this program," Serrano said. "We might not have ended up champions on the field, but we were definitely champions as people. As a coach, I guess that's all you can ask.

"I think we overachieved. I think the 2006 Anteater ballclub that won 36 games and came to a second regional is definitely going to be the building block for this program, which I'm very proud to be running."

Serrano will say goodbye to notable seniors Glenn Swanson, Jaime Martinez, Gary Dudrey and Danny McCarthy.

Junior Friday-night starter Justin Cassel and junior closer Blair Erickson also figure to depart after being selected in the Major League draft that begins today.