PGCROSSCHECKER COLLEGE TEAM SCOUTING REPORT

51. UC IRVINE (36-24, did not qualify for NCAA post-season play).

Conference/Projected Finish: Big West/4^th (11-10, 3^rd in 2006).

Coach: Dave Serrano (67-49, 2 years).

First Game: Feb. 2 at California .

OVERVIEW: The Anteaters return senior 2B Cody Cipriano (.354-4-36), their leading hitter, and ace closer Blair Erickson (5-0, 2.06, 13 saves). They are gambling that talented but underachieving junior OF Bryan Petersen (.226-0-7) lives up to his potential and that two freshmen, RHP Christian Bergman and LHP Daniel Bibona, can carry the load in an inexperienced rotation behind sophomore RHP Scott Gorgen (7-5, 2.54).

TOP PROSPECT/SENIOR: Blair Erickson, rhp. Projected as a possible first-round pick entering last season, Erickson had an acceptable season from a performance standpoint, but his stuff dropped off dramatically and his control wavered, causing him to slip all the way to the 10^th round. His fastball, a customary 94-95 mph as a freshman and sophomore, fell off to 88-91; his slider, once 84 mph, slipped to the 77-80 range and lost much of its sharpness.

TOP FRESHMAN: Francis Larson, c. TOP SOPHOMORE: Scott Gorgen, rhp. TOP JUNIOR: Bryan Petersen, of.