June 24, 2007

Today's editorial: Hold your snouts high, UCI

Well, it was inspiring while it lasted, and it capped a marvelous season that bodes well for the future. Perhaps it was too much to expect the UC Irvine baseball team to knock off the defending champion (undefeated in tournament play and really excellent) Oregon State Beavers after two grueling, inspiring and emotionally draining extra-inning victories last week in the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. But the Anteaters capped a coming-of-age season by getting into the final four and making Orange County proud.

There's a bit of regret that in their opening CWS game they had to knock off local favorite Cal State Fullerton, a perennial power coached by George Horton, one of UCI Coach Dave Serrano's friends and mentors. But that marathon game, marked by good play, camaraderie and good sportsmanship on both sides, will long be remembered.

Can it be possible that the Anteaters attained such lofty baseball heights only six years after reinstating baseball as a varsity sport and only three years after bringing in Coach Serrano? It might not have seemed likely a year ago, but there it is. Along the way the Anteaters defeated perennial powers Texas and Wichita State and garnered great respect for a program that had not been considered a national power before this year.

One measure of the Anteaters' quality is that seven of its players, including three juniors who may decide to leave after this year, have been drafted by the pros. However, 15 of the squad's 25 members are freshmen or sophomores, so the future looks bright.

For now, though, it is time for Coach Serrano and the entire team to enjoy the moment and to revel in their accomplishments.