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Since being re-instated in 2002, UC
Irvine has established itself among the national elite. The
Anteaters have advanced to the post-season seven of the last eight
years, including the last six years and highlighted by an
appearance in the College World Series in 2007. UCI became the
first team in College World Series history to win extra-inning
games on consecutive days, eliminating Cal State Fullerton, 6-5 in
the longest game in CWS history (5 hours, 40 minutes) and then
defeating Arizona State, 8-7.
UC Irvine has been a mainstay in
the national rankings, rising to No. 1 in 2009 for six consecutive
weeks.
The Anteaters were also a top
Division II program, winning national titles in 1973 and
1974. Five players came away with eight All-American honors
during UCI's Division II years, led by Jeff Malinoff, who was a
three-time All-American in the early '70s.
Anteater players have won
prestigious awards such as All-American, Big West Player of the
Year as well as being recognized as a Brooks Wallace Award winner
and Lowes Senior CLASS Award. UCI has earned Big West Pitcher of
the Year distinction each of the last four years and came away with
the inaugural Big West Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.
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