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Briefs: Two ‘Eaters stand out as preseason picks

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UC Irvine junior pitcher Andrew Thurman and senior catcher Ronnie Shaeffer were voted to the All-Big West Conference preseason first team and second team, respectively by College Sports Madness.

Thurman, a first-team all-conference choice in 2012, posted an 8-3 record and a 2.66 earned-run average as a sophomore, including a no-hitter. He struck out 69 in 98 innings and held opposing teams to a .195 batting average in 15 starts.

Shaeffer, who sat out last season with a broken finger, was a first-team All-Big West performer in 2011, when he won the American Baseball Coaches Assn. Golden Glove. He limited opposing base-stealers to a 43% success rate, tops in the nation and was also named the Most Valuable Player at the NCAA Los Angeles Regional.

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UC Irvine hosts its annual alumni game Jan. 26 and kicks off the season with a three-game nonconference series against Baylor, Feb. 15-17 at Anteater Ballpark.

— From staff reports

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Two-dozen ‘Eaters honored

The Big West Conference has recognized 24 UC Irvine student-athletes with academic all-conference honors for fall sports.

Women’s cross country has eight honorees, including Emma Archuleta, Chloe Fata, Mary Follo, Kaycee Holcomb, Nicole Mendoza, Maddy Post, Gabbi White and Courtney Wilson.

Marissa Alvarez, Shannon Fleming, Taylor Smith, Aly Squires, Sarah Wilder and Kristin Winkler represent women’s volleyball, while Sam Hyams and Calvin Tan are men’s cross country honorees.

Men’s and women’s soccer each had four representatives. They are: Mitchell Alvarez, Bryan Breslin, Victor Calderon and Jake Marcon, as well as Devon Delarosa, Jenna Pellegrino, Mar Rodriguez and Jackie Samis.

Honorees must maintain a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average, attained sophomore standing academically and competed in at least half of their team’s contests.

A total of 133 student-athletes from 10 member schools were recognized.

— From staff reports

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