June 21, 2007

Great times in Omaha

TIM BURT PRESS BOX

UC Irvine fans are undoubtedly having the times of their lives in Omaha this week for the College World Series.

Their Anteater baseball team, which keeps coming up with one thrilling late-inning victory after another, is the talk of college baseball.

Ideally, it’s best to catch the World Series in person in Omaha; it is a special place to watch a game.

But the television coverage on ESPN this week has made viewers think they are there. The announcers seemed to have caught on to the Cinderella story and the coverage has been outstanding.

Miles away, fans in Irvine are following the team’s success.

University baseball coach Chris Conlin is one of those who has been impressed.

“Coach Serrano and his staff have done an outstanding job,” Conlin said. “UCI games are great for high school players to watch. They play the game the way it was designed to be played. They hustle, are fundamentally sound and play with great desire and passion.”

HANDLING PRESSURE

It’s tough to lose your first game and stay alive in the College World Series, but that’s just what the Anteaters have done.

They needed a win on Wednesday against Oregon State to force another game with the defending national champions today at 4 p.m. on ESPN.

The best two of three championship series will begin Saturday on ESPN at 4 p.m. It continues Sunday at 4 p.m. on ESPN2 and if necessary on Monday at 4 p.m. on ESPN.

READER REACTION

Local readers have been making plenty of comments on the Orange County Register and Irvine World News web pages.

Most have been paid tributes to the Anteaters. Even some Cal State Fullerton fans have congratulated UCI, despite the fact that the Anteaters knocked the Titans out of the College World Series.

One reader who identified himself as a “college baseball fan,” wrote:

“Let’s go ‘Eaters. You guys are awesome. The whole country is falling in love with you guys. Rip ‘em ‘Eaters! Beat OSU in two games to advance to the championship (series).”

We encourage our readers to add their comments by going to the end of the story on the web.

ALL-STAR SOFTBALL

The Tustin News sports editor Artie Casas is putting on the second annual Tustin News Softball Showcase Game tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Columbus Tustin Middle School. The game will match the rookies vs. the veterans.

The rookies will be coached by Pete Harrell, coach at Beckman High who led the Patriots to the CIF championship.

CONCORDIA CAMPS

Concordia University is taking signups for its summer camps.

There will be camps for boys and girls basketball, baseball, cross country and track and volleyball. For more information, call (949) 854-8002, extension 1423.

ALL-CITY TEAMS

Irvine World News is presenting its annual all-city baseball team this week.

Next week, the all-city softball team will be presented.