I just got a call from Pepperdine coach Steve Rodriguez, who said that his talented pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, Sean Kenny, has decided to remain at Pepperdine rather than join Mike Gillespie’s staff at UC Irvine. Rodriguez confirmed that the Anteaters made Kenny an offer, but after sitting down with Rodriguez and Pepperdine athletic director Dr. John Watson, Kenny realized he was in the right place.

"Our administration really stepped up and made a commitment to our program," Rodriguez said. "Working for Coach Gillespie would have been an honor for him, but he likes working and living here in Malibu."

Kenny brought in a strong and large recruiting class that he will now get a chance to help develop. The headliner is athletic lefthander Scott Alexander, who has run his fastball up to 93 mph and shown a pair of promising secondary pitches.

Other candidates for the UCI assistant job include Fresno State’s Ted Silva, a former volunteer assistant at Cal State Fullerton, and California’s Dan Hubbs, who pitched for Gillespie at USC.