IRVINE – The Anteater offense scored early and the pitching staff limited UCSB to one run as UCI collected an 8-1 decision to win the series Saturday at Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark.
UCI’s offense proved to be clutch, scoring all eight runs with two outs. Sean Madigan led UCI with three RBI on 2 for 4 hitting while Jeff Cusick drove in two while going 2 for 4. D.J. Crumlich also had a pair of RBI, batting 2 for 3 with two runs scored. Starter Evan Brock hurled six innings, striking out three and walking three while giving up an unearned run on two hits to improve to 4-4 on the season.
Brock retired the first nine batters he faced before UCSB centerfielders Gunner Terhune would reach first in the top of the fourth inning on an Anteater (32-16, 12-5 Big West) error. Matt Valaika drew a one-out walk and Trevor Whyte was plunked by the pitch to load the bases for Mark Haddow, who sent a 1-0 pitch to left for the sacrifice fly. Brock’s no-hit effort was spoiled in the sixth as Derek Eligio registered the first UCSB hit, a double to lead off the inning, but was left stranded after Brock set down the next three batters.
UCI’s offense struck in the first inning for the second consecutive game. Brian Hernandez registered a two-out double to left-center and Jeff Cusick sent a 2-1 offering from starter Nick Loredo to left field for his team-high eighth home run of the season.
The Anteaters struck again with two outs in the second. With runners on second and third following a walk and a double past the third-base bag by Crumlich, Madigan singled to right to give UCI a 4-0 lead.
Jonathan Hurst’s two-out hit to right in the third pushed across Casey Stevenson, who doubled to lead off the frame.
Reliever Greg Davis picked up for Loredo in the fourth and retired eight straight Anteaters before UCI would put runners on first and second for Crumlich, who belted his second double of the day for two RBI. Madigan capped the scoring with a hard single up the middle, plating Crumlich.
Anteater reliever Nick Hoover pitched two innings, striking out one and scattering two hits and then handed the ball off to Kyle Hooper, who retired the Gauchos in order in the ninth to end the game.
Loredo fell to 0-4 after giving up five runs on seven hits in three innings. UCSB drops to 20-25 (6-11 Big West) with the loss.
The Gauchos conclude their series vs. No. 27 UC Irvine on Sunday with the game scheduled at 1 p.m. It will be broadcast live on AM 1490 and online by clicking here.
The Gauchos return home for their final weekend series on May 21 when they host UC Davis.
