“I really, really want this to work and go well and have everybody enjoy what can happen,” said Gillespie, who replaces Dave Serrano, Baseball America’s 2007 National Coach of the Year who is now at Cal State Fullerton after three seasons guiding the Anteaters. “I’d really be disappointed if we don’t do well, because it’s a team that can win. They’re really good guys and they know how to play.”
UCI had a school-record eight players drafted by Major League teams last season, including first-team All-Big West Conference honorees Cody Cipriano and Taylor Holiday, as well as NCAA career saves leader Blair Erickson.
The ’Eaters will need to replace three regulars on the infield, both corner outfielders, as well as Saturday starter Wes Etheridge, whose success was vital to a postseason run that included victories at the Round Rock Regional hosted by Texas and the Super Regional at Wichita State.
But several key cogs return, including ace starter Scott Gorgen, who earned third-team All-American honors and is a first-team preseason All-American pick by Louisville Slugger and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Assn.
Gorgen, a junior, will again anchor a pitching staff that includes Pepperdine transfer Bryce Stowell and fellow sophomore Christian Bergman as the initial weekend starters.
Linton, a second-team preseason All-American choice by the NCBWA, will lead off and play center, while junior shortstop Ben Orloff and senior catcher Aaron Lowenstein are additional returning starters. Orloff, the national leader the last two seasons in sacrifice hits, earned second-team All-Big West recognition last season, as did Lowenstein.
