Matt Gorgen, who went 3-5 with a team-best nine saves, a 2.51 earned-run average, and 75 strikeouts in 61 innings, was supposed to be pitching in the Cape Cod League in June. But, to the consternation of his coaches in the Cape, he has put his own summer season on hold to see the Anteaters' season through.
"My [Cape Cod League] coach didn't understand about me coming to Omaha," Matt Gorgen said. "He wanted me to come watch my brother's start [Saturday], then come back [to Massachusetts].
"I told him UCI is my second team. I love every single one of these [Anteaters]. I said 'This isn't just about my brother, or about me. It's about being here for these guys and being here to support them."
"If I was looking out for my best interests, I would have gone to the Cape right away and not gone to the regional [in Round Rock, Texas] or the super regional [in Wichita, Kan.], or even Omaha. But I went to the first one and I wasn't going to leave."
He said he will try to catch on with a Cape Cod League team when he returns to Berkeley, but his job on his original team has been filled.
SIX WINS AWAY
UCI Coach Dave Serrano pointed out that Saturday's setback was the team's first loss since May 26.
"All we did after that loss was win six straight games," said Serrano, whose No. 4-ranked Anteaters (45-16-1) meet Big West Conference rival Cal State Fullerton (38-24) in an elimination game today at 11 a.m. "If we win six straight games from here on out, we'll win a national championship."
PLAYOFF BEARD SHORN
Matt Gorgen began growing a beard in Texas and he told his brother, as well as other Anteaters players, that he wouldn't shave, as long as they kept winning.
But after Saturday's loss, he was clean-shaven Sunday.
