Briefs: UCI picked fifth
UC Irvine has been picked to finish fifth in the Big West Conference preseason baseball coaches’ poll announced Thursday.
The Anteaters, who finished tied for seventh after going 31-25, 11-13 in conference in 2016, received 48 points, but were the only team other than Cal State Fullerton to earn one first-place vote.
Fullerton had 76 points and eight first-place votes to top the poll, followed by Long Beach State and UC Santa Barbara (65 each), and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (55).
Following UCI, Cal State Northridge (33), UC Riverside (27), Hawaii (23) and UC Davis (13) rounded out the poll.
Prior to last season, when UCI was picked to finish second in the Big West preseason poll, the Anteaters bettered their preseason projection in six of the previous eight seasons.
UCI, which opens its ninth season under Coach Mike Gillespie on Feb. 17 at home against reigning Big Ten Conference champion Minnesota, is led by preseason All-American Keston Hiura.
— From staff reports
— From staff reports
‘Eaters add three recruits
The UC Irvine men’s water polo program signed three talented high school players on Wednesday, Anteaters Coach Marc Hunt announced.
Jack Baumgardner (Santa Margarita High), Jared Gornay (Redlands East Valley) and Casey Lynton (Murrieta Valley) all signed a National Letter of Intent to join the ‘Eaters next season.
Baumgardner earned All-CIF and All-Trinity League honors this fall when he led Santa Margarita to its first CIF Southern Section Division 2 title. He is a member of the Southern Pacific Zone Olympic Development Program “A” Team and his sister, Kelli, is a junior on the UCI women’s water polo team.
“Jack has only scratched the surface of his potential, and the coaching staff and I are eager to get to work with his development,” Hunt said. “Jack is the first step in augmenting our two-meter corps, however, I would not be surprised to see him develop into a utility role with the ability to perform several functions. He has intelligent feel for his position, very good hands, and brings strong character to our team.”
Gornay was a 2016 All-American who earned All-CIF Division 3 honors and was Citrus Belt League MVP. He was CIF Division 5 and the Daily Bulletin Player of the Year in 2015. He is a three-time first-team all-league honoree.
“Jared is a very driven young man who has found much success in the pool and the classroom,” Hunt said. “He’s a great fit not only for our team, but for our great University. Jared has a great all-around game, can play multiple roles and [he can] have a great impact in several ways. Whether guarding two meters, posting up defenders, or shooting from the outside, we are most pleased with Jared’s intelligent decision-making.”
Lynton was first-team All-CIF in Division 2 as a senior and in Division 3 his junior season. A two-time All-American, he was the Press Enterprise Player of the Year last fall and earned first-team All-Southwestern League honors the past three seasons. His sister, Delayne, is a freshman with the Anteaters women’s water polo squad.
“Casey is an intelligent player who blends a high level of athleticism with outstanding character,” Hunt said. “His perimeter shooting is outstanding and he has great game awareness.”
— From staff reports
— From staff reports