Gorgen, Linton selected preseason All-Americans

UC Irvine juniors Scott Gorgen and Ollie Linton have been named preseason All-Americans by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Assn.

Gorgen, a pitcher, is the lone Big West Conference representative on the first team while Linton, an outfielder, is a second-team choice.

Gorgen was 13-3 as a sophomore and earned third-team All-American honors after finishing the season tied for third in the nation in wins. The right-hander posted a 2.83 ERA, had three complete-game shutouts and pitched seven innings in another combined shutout. He had six complete games.

His 2007 campaign was highlighted by postseason wins over Texas, Wichita State and Arizona State.

Linton, a second-team all-conference choice last season, is the team’s top returning hitter after batting .342 in 2007. The center fielder’s 52 hits included eight triples and he had 21 RBIs.

Linton drove in the game-winning run against Arizona State in an extra-inning elimination game at the College World Series and also won all-tournament honors after making a pair of game-changing defensive plays that helped UCI win three straight in regional action in Texas.

— From staff reports