UCI’s Gillespie to be honored Friday

UC Irvine baseball coach Mike Gillespie will be honored for his 1,000th career win Friday prior to the first pitch against San Diego State.

Gillespie, in his 27th season of coaching at the Division I level, logged the milestone victory Feb. 23 against Long Beach State with a 7-2 decision. The American Baseball Coaches Assn. Hall of Fame skipper is one of 16 Division I coaches to have reached the milestone. He has 1,020 victories going into Thursday’s game against San Diego State.

In 42 seasons of coaching baseball at both the Division I and junior college levels, Gillespie, 73, has amassed 1,440 wins.

Gillespie is in his seventh year at UC Irvine, five of which have included trips to the NCAA Regionals.

— From staff reports