BRIEFS

PIRATES OPEN AT HOME

The Orange Coast College men’s volleyball team will play host to Santa Monica in the first round of the Southern California Regional playoffs Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The Pirates (12-9) finished second in the Orange Empire Conference, while Santa Monica was third in the Western State Conference.

The winner advances to the four-team state tournament Friday and Saturday at Irvine Valley College.

ZOT STOVE DINNER

The UC Irvine baseball program will hold its annual Zot Stove Dinner tonight at the Irvine Marriott.

Eric Karros, an ESPN baseball analyst whose 14-season major-league career included 12 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, will be the guest speaker.

The dinner, a fundraiser for the program, provides guests the opportunity to meet and dine with Anteater players and coaches. The event begins at 7 p.m., preceded by a reception at 6.

Live and silent auctions featuring unique items are also planned.

For ticket information, contact Kerry Boznanski at (949) 824-5550.

ERICKSON MAKES LIST

UC Irvine All-American closer Blair Erickson has been named to the 2006 Stopper of the Year midseason watch list by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Assn.

The junior is among 30 pitchers to make the list and among 16 with at least eight saves this season.

Heading into the Big West Conference series against UC Santa Barbara, Erickson is 3-0 with 10 saves and a 1.55 ERA.

He has 35 strikeouts in 29 innings this season. He has given up just 21 hits and opponents are hitting a mere .219 against him.

Erickson has 37 career saves, second in Big West Conference history.

Joining Erickson on the watch list is Cal State Fullerton closer Vinnie Pestano and Rocky Roquet of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Finalists for the award will be announced May 31 and the winner will be named June 7.

PANCAKE RUN

Registration is now open for the Orange County Track Club’s ninth Pancake Breakfast 5k and Kids Race on June 11.

The race will take place at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa, with proceeds going to the Estancia High cross-country and track and field program.

Registration is $20 for adults before June 1 ? $25 after ? and includes race entry, a T-shirt and breakfast. Children 12 and under may register for $10.

For more information, call (949) 863-6166, or visit the club’s website at www.octrackclub.com.

SUMMER CAMPS