IRVINE, Calif. --- Andrew Morales pitched seven shutout innings but the Anteaters were unable to hold onto a one-run lead, falling 3-1 to San Diego State Thursday at Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark.
The loss drops UCI to 24-13 overall and marks the first series opener the Anteaters have lost since dropping a 2-0 decision to Fresno State to kick off the season.
Andrew Morales pitched a three-hitter and struck out 11, one shy of his career-best, but came away with a no-decision.
The Anteaters threatened early, loading the bases against Aztec starter Mike Robards in the second inning but the lefty, who improved to 4-3, struck out Justin Castro and fielded a come-backer off the bat of John Brontsema to keep UCI off the board.
UCI broke the scoreless tie in the fifth. Chris Rabago belted a two-out triple and scored on a clutch double by Connor Spencer to take a 1-0 lead.
The Aztecs, who were unable to produce against Morales struck in the eighth against Sam Moore. Greg Allen was hit by the pitch to lead off the inning. After a sacrifice bunt, Moore induced a bouncer to Rabago, but the throw from the third baseman was out of the reach of Spencer and went into the SDSU dugout, allowing Allen to score the tying run and Tim Zier to take second on the two-base error. Ty France was intentionally walked and Seby Zavala and Brad Haynal hit consecutive run-scoring singles to give the team a 3-1 lead.
Moore handed the ball to Jimmy Litchfield and the senior ended the inning on a double play as Tyler Adkison struck out and Haynal was tagged out at second on a stolen base attempt.
UCI battled and rallied in the eighth behind Jonathan Munoz, who singled off Robards and Kris Paulino who drew a 3-1 walk. The Aztecs called for Michael Cederoth and the right-hander struck out pinch-hitter Ryan Cooper to leave two stranded.
UCI came up empty again in the ninth. The Anteaters put runners on first and second on a walk to Evan Cassolato and an infield single by Grant Palmer. Both runners advanced on the sacrifice bunt by Rabago but Cederoth struck out Connor Spencer and Taylor Sparks to close out the game and earn his 14th save and UCI would leave its 11th and 12th runners stranded.
Spencer was 2 for 5 with an RBI while Jerry McClanahan also had two hits in the effort. Moore fell to 0-2 after allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits.
Robards pitched 7.2 innings, striking four and giving up a run on eight hits.
The series continues Friday at 6:30 p.m.
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