Anteaters awarded accolades

UC Irvine freshman pitcher Scott Gorgan headlines the Anteaters singled out in the coaches’ All-Big West Conference baseball selections announced Tuesday.

Gorgen, 7-4 with a 2.52 earned-run average to help the Anteaters earn a bid into the NCAA Regionals, was named Freshman Pitcher of the Year.

Gorgen was named second-team all-conference, an honor also given to teammates Jaime Martinez and Cody Cirpriano.

Gorgen gave up just 88 hits in 107 innings, with 82 strikeouts. Opponents hit just .229 against him. His ERA was third best in the conference. His ERA ranks 32nd nationally.

He was named Big West Player of the Week after blanking Hawaii on two hits through 8 1/3 innings in a 1-0 Anteater victory.

Gorgen also led UCI to its first conference win of the season in a 2-0 shutout of then-No. 9 Cal State Fullerton.

He struck out a career-high eight batters on three occasions.

Martinez, a senior first baseman and designated hitter, led UCI with eight home runs and 45 RBIs this season. He hit .287 with 24 runs and six stolen bases.

The school’ career home run leader with 21, Martinez ranked fourth in the conference in RBIs this season. He has not committed an error this season at first base.

Cipriano led the Anteaters with a .361 average and his 66 hits tied for the team lead with Taylor Holiday. Cipriano had four home runs, 34 RBIs, 17 doubles, 30 runs and was successful on 16 of 20 stolen-base attempts. He has drawn a team-high 27 walks.

Blair Erickson, a junior pitcher who was 5-0 with 13 saves and a 2.22 ERA, received honorable mention. His 40 saves are a UCI career record.

Cal State Fullerton’s Justin Turner and Long Beach State’s Evan Longoria were named Co-Players of the Year while Titan hurler Wes Roemer picked up Pitcher of the Year honors.

Long Beach State’s Danny Espinosa was named Freshman Player of the Year and Cal State Fullerton’s George Horton was selected Coach of the Year.

In addition, Cipriano was named Big West Player of the Week, and junior Justin Cassel shared Big West Pitcher of the Week recognition for helping the Anteaters win their fifth straight conference series against visiting UC Riverside.

Cipriano batted .529 (nine for 17) with five RBIs and four runs as UCI clinched third place in the Big West. He had two home runs during the week, doubling his season total.

Cassel threw a five-hit shutout Friday night, allowing only one runner to reach third base. He struck out four and walked two for his fourth complete game this season.dpt-ucihonors31.IMGGraphicInfoT91RGC8Q20060531T91RGC8QNo Caption