Anteaters beef up

Eight student-athletes have signed national letters of intent with

the UC Irvine Baseball team, announced by head coach John Savage.

* Justin Cassel, a right-hander out of Chatsworth High, went 10-2

as a junior. He made 13 appearances, starting in 11 and had eight complete games. Through 71.1 innings, he struck out 80, walked 14 and

allowed 53 hits to post a 1.87 ERA.

A member of the 2002 Area Code Games, Cassel is the 39th-best

prospect in the 2003 class according to Baseball America. Chatsworth

High’s program was also ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA today.

“Justin is one of the most complete pitchers coming out of high

school this year. He has a chance to make an immediate impact as a

freshman,” said Savage.

* Cody Cipirano is a first-team All-CIF honoree out of Westlake

High. The USA team member competed in the USA-Japan Goodwill series,

hitting .508 and 10 home runs. As well as being named MVP of the

Marmonte League, Cipriano was All-Ventura County, All-State

California High School Sports and an All-Southern California Baseball

Resource choice. The junior participated in the 2002 Area Code Games

and played with the 2002 Dodger Elite Team.

“Cody is a great athlete who can do a lot of different things on

the field. We like his versatility,” said Savage.

* As a sophomore right-hander Blair Erickson boasted a 6-1

win-loss record, striking out 58 over 40 innings and sporting a 1.40

ERA. He led Jesuit High to a CIF section title and a Metro League

crown, finishing as an all-league selection as well as earning a spot

on the Sacramento Bee All-City team.

In his junior season, the right-hander went 5-3, striking out 60

in 45 innings while allowing 24 hits. Erickson also had a save and

sported a 1.69 ERA to earn his second all-league title.

“Blair is a power pitcher who has a tremendous future. He is one

of the top prospects in Northern California and we very fortunate to

have sign at UC Irvine,” said Savage.

* Left-hander Kevin Fox was a second-team all-league selection

after ending his junior season with a 3-2 record and 27 strikeouts in

23 innings. He was also a member of the Devil Rays Scout Team and was

recruited by UCLA, Long Beach State, San Diego and Hawaii. He prepped

at Montgomery High in Chula Vista.

“Kevin is the sleeper of this recruiting class. He has three

pitches and is very competitive. Kevin has a great future,” said

Savage.

* David Huff earned numerous accolades as a pitcher out of Edison

High in Huntington Beach. He was a second-team All-Orange County

selection and second-team All-Sunset League choice this past season.

Huff was the league’s Rookie of the Year in 2001 after helping his

team win the CIF championship. In the championship game, Huff threw a

complete game, facing 23 batters and striking out seven, earning

first-team All-CIF honors.

“We feel David is one of the top left-handers in California. David

is very competitive and has a great feel to pitch. He has very good

command and great presence,” said Savage.

* Chad Lundahl out of Thousand Oaks High was an all-county and

All-Maramonte League first-team selection after hitting .449 as a

junior, the second-best average in the league. The shortstop also had

12 doubles and eight home runs for his squad. Lundahl participated in

the CABA World Series, earning a Gold Glove. He competed in the

USA-Japan Goodwill Series as well as the 2002 Area Code Games.

“Chad is one of the best middle infielders in California. Chad

will also make an impact offensively,” said Savage.

* Aaron Lowenstein a prep at Calabasas High was an All-Ventura

County and first-team All-Frontier honoree as a catcher. He played in

the 2002 Area Code Games and was a member of the 2002 Dodger Elite

Team. Lowenstein was sought by Arizona State, California, Fresno

State, Pepperdine and San Diego.

“Aaron is a tremendous catcher with an above-average throwing arm.

Aaron has the ability to take over a game from behind the plate,”

said Savage.

* Tim Stewart, a first baseman out of Mater Dei High was a

first-team All-Serra League choice his junior season. The Mater Dei

High Offensive Player of the Year was chosen to participate on Team

California in the Junior Sunbelt Classic in Oklahoma. Stewart also

earned all-tournament team honors at the Super Series in Georgia and

played in the AAU National Championships.

“Tim fulfills our need for right-handed power. We also think Tim

will be an outstanding hitter in our program,” says Savage.