Serrano and his staff, however, believed the 5-foot-8, 160-pounder out of Crespi High in Encino would give UCI some additional energy as it prepared to visit Cal State Fullerton for a three-game Big West Conference series beginning April 5.
Linton, who was nine for 29 to that point (.310), became the everyday center fielder against the Titans. His production since has thoroughly justified the wisdom of that decision.
Linton, who hit .305 with 41 hits, a team-high 14 stolen bases and 19 RBIs as a freshman in 2005, when he started 36 of the 37 games in which he appeared, has been nothing short of amazing in 2007.
Heading into tonight's 7 o'clock opener of a three-game series between the No. 10-ranked Anteaters (38-14-1, 13-5 in conference) and No. 16-ranked UC Riverside (36-17, 15-3), Linton is hitting .391 with 43 hits, 11 stolen bases and 14 RBIs. His .391 average ranks third among Big West hitters.
Against Big West pitching this season, Linton is hitting .464.
In his last seven games, Linton has 14 hits in 22 at-bats (.637), with six runs and five RBIs.
"We decided we needed a spark, so we moved [then-center fielder Taylor] Holiday to first base and put Ollie in center field," Serrano said. "And Ollie has just been wonderful. He just adds another dimension to a lineup that was already creating havoc. He brings so much energy; he has really been a spark throughout the conference season."
Linton, who throws and bats left-handed, has also brought more punch than the bunt-slap hitter most remember from his freshman campaign, when he had just eight extra-base hits, including an inside-the-park home run for his the only dinger in his now 244 collegiate at-bats.
