Scott Gorgen, Ollie Linton Named to Brooks Wallace Award Preaseason Watch List

Anteaters open sesaon at Nevada Feb. 22, 2008

Dec. 7, 2007

IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine pitcher Scott Gorgen (Concord/Clayton Valley HS) and outfielder Ollie Linton (Winnetka/Crespi HS) have been named to the 2008 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award preseason watch list. The Wallace Award is presented to the top college player by the College Baseball Hall of Fame and will be announced Thursday, July 3, 2008.

Gorgen, a six-time All-American, returns to UC Irvine for his junior campaign after posting a 13-3 overall record for the Anteaters last season. Gorgen finished tied for third in the nation in wins and was among the nation's leaders with 117 strikeouts (22nd) and a 2.83 ERA (80th). The right-hander hurled six complete games including four straight prior to UC Irvine's first Division I appearance at the College World Series. Gorgen was 3-1 with a save in the postseason and was named to the Round Rock Regional All-Tournament team. Gorgen was also invited to pitch for Team USA last summer and defeated Russia, striking out eight in a pre-determined start of 4.2 innings.

Linton, a redshirt junior, also earned regional all-tournament honors. The centerfielder finished second among the team's starters with a .342 average, totaling 52 hits and 21 RBI. Linton, an All-Big West second-team selection, was 15th in the nation in triples per game at .14 and 68th in the country with a .21 sacrifice hits per game average. Linton became a College World Series hero after driving in the game-winning RBI against Arizona State as the Anteaters became the first team to win back-to-back, extra-inning games in CWS history.

Gorgen and Linton highlight a group of 21 returning letterwinners. The Anteaters, under first-year head coach Mike Gillespie, open the season Feb. 22, 2008 at Nevada.