UC San Diego Baseball Honored With First Pitch at Padres Game

Ioana Patringenaru | June 7, 2010

Shortstop Vance Albitz throws the ceremonial first pitch at a Padres game last week.
Photo: Shana Siler/San Diego Padres

Cheers rose from a crowd of more than 17,000 as Triton shortstop Vance Albitz, surrounded by his teammates, threw the ceremonial first pitch during a Padres game at PETCO Park last week. It was the biggest crowd Albitz had ever faced during a game—and it felt pretty good, he said.

“It was probably the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” the shortstop said in a phone interview two days after the game.

The Padres invited the Tritons to honor their tremendous run at the NCAA Division II title, said Erik Meyer, the Friars’ director of Entertainment and Production. UC San Diego’s baseball team ended its best season in history May 29 with an appearance in the College World Series championship game in Cary, N.C. The Tritons took runner-up to the University of Southern Indiana. The Padres’ pre-game ceremony was a great way for fans and the community to show their appreciation for the hard work of the Triton players, coaches and staff, Meyer added.

The celebration, and the crowd’s support, had a therapeutic effect on student athletes, said Head Coach Dan O’Brien. "It was a very special night for the team," he said. "The San Diego Padres organization went above and beyond to help us celebrate an incredible season. It was a classy move by a great organization."

The Tritons took a bus to PETCO Park, where they spent some time in front of the dugout talking to players. Albitz said he enjoyed meeting Padres closing pitcher Heath Bell. He and his teammates, wearing UCSD baseball T-shrits and jeans, lined up on the baseline to be recognized. They then gathered at the mound, where Albitz threw the pitch. The Triton shortstop, who is one of the team’s captains, recently won his third Gold Glove and second consecutive National Defensive Player of the Year award. He also became UCSD's first-ever two-time All-American.

“He’s been the heart and soul of our team for the last couple of years,” O’Brien said.
David Eckstein, the Padres’ second baseman, caught Albitz’s pitch. But the UCSD student got to keep the ball, which now rests on his desk. The Tritons then took their seats in the ballpark, right behind first base and the dugout, where they could follow the action. Between innings, the Padres showed highlights of the UCSD team’s College World Series performance on the park’s giant screen. The camera then panned over the section where the UCSD student athletes sat. The crowd applauded and cheered.

“The Padres join the entire San Diego community in commending the Tritons baseball team for their outstanding performance,” said Padres Executive Vice President Paul DePodesta. “With four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Regionals, two consecutive trips to the College World Series, and a school record 54 wins this season, we wanted to honor Coach Dan O’Brien, his staff, and all the players. They’ve made everyone involved in San Diego baseball very proud.”

Ryan Hall contributed to this report.