June 10, 2009

IRVINE, Calif. --- Ben Orloff (Simi Valley/HS), Daniel Bibona (Lake Forest/Santa Margarita HS) and Cory Hamilton (Elk Grove/Sheldon HS) were selected on the second day of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. Orloff, a ninth-round pick, was chosen by the Houston Astros while Bibona selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 16th round. Hamilton was drafted in the 23rd round by the Detroit Tigers.

Orloff batted .358 to sit second among the starters and topped the team with 91 hits and 62 runs scored. The senior tied for fifth with 11 doubles and made 215 consecutive starts at short.

Bibona posted a 12-1 record on the mound. The lefty leads the Big West with 108 strikeouts and was second in the league with a 2.63 ERA.

Hamilton made 20 appearances for UCI, striking out 33 batters in 37.1 innings. The right-hander was 0-2 with a 7.96 ERA.

Three 2009 recruits were also drafted on Day 2. Left-hander pitcher Paul Strong (Marina HS) was a 17th-round pick by the Texas Rangers. Kyle Hooper (Saugus HS), a right-hander, was chosen by Pittsburgh in the 28th round and southpaw James Wright (Los Alamitos HS) was a 29th-round choice by Minnesota.