UCI’s Sparks honored

UC Irvine junior Taylor Sparks has been named first-team preseason All-American in baseball by Perfect Game.

It’s the third entity to recognize Sparks, the 2013 Big West Conference Co-Player of the Year, as a preseason All-American.

Sparks, a third baseman, hit .360 with 10 home runs, 50 runs batted in and 25 extra-base hits as a sophomore and enters the 2014 season as Perfect Game’s No. 26 prospect.

Sparks and the Anteaters open the season Feb. 14 at home against Fresno State at 6 p.m.

— From staff reports