IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine was unable to overcome a three-run first, falling to No. 9 UCLA, 6-2, Tuesday at Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark.

UCLA sandwiched a single to right with a pair of outs to lead off the first inning against starter Evan Brock. Following an intentional walk to Jeff Gelalich, Trevor Brown doubled down past the third-base bag to drive in two and Pat Valaika followed with a single through the left side to give UCLA a 3-0 lead.  

Following the RBI single from Valaika, Brock settled in and retired 13 consecutive batters before handing the ball off to Anteater bullpen in the sixth.

Chris Rabago belted his first home run of the season to lead off the third inning, putting UCI on the board and cutting the lead to two at 3-1

However, UCLA tacked on a single run in the seventh and two in the eighth as Brown and Valaika struck again with run-scoring hits.

Taylor Sparks and pinch-hitter Ryan Cooper drew back-to-back two-out walks to lead off the bottom of the ninth against reliever Zack Ortiz and D.J. Crumlich doubled down the right-field line to drive in Sparks and cap the scoring for UCI.

Crumlich led UCI with an RBI on two hits while Tommy Reyes singled twice. Mark Trentacosta allowed a run on four hits in two innings while Jimmy Litchfield gave up two runs on three hits in an inning of work. Mitch Merten pitched a perfect ninth for the Anteaters.

Grant Watson improved to 9-2 after six innings of one-run baseball. Brown and Valaika combined for five RBI and four hits for the Bruins.

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