IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine lost its first Big West Conference series opener, falling 9-1 to Cal State Fullerton Friday at Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark.
The loss was the first for Andrew Morales, who went to a record of 19-1 in nearly two full seasons at UCI.
Morales worked with a 1-0 lead after Taylor Sparks doubled in Grant Palmer in the third but the right-hander was touched for five runs in the fourth, the most he has allowed in his Anteater career.
He faced the minimum through three but in the fourth, gave up four straight hits, including a two-run triple to J.D. Davis and a two-run double to Matt Chapman as Fullerton took a 3-1 lead. David Olmedo-Barrera followed with a one-out single and Taylor Bryant drove in a run with a two-out hit before Clay Williamson would strike out to end the inning.
The Anteaters did create scoring opportunities for themselves against Titan starter, Thomas Eshelman. Jonathan Munoz doubled to lead off the second and Jerry McClanahan was issued a rare base on balls to give UCI a first and second situation. Kris Paulino's sacrifice put both runners in scoring position with one out but UCI came up empty after Thomas Eshelman struck out Justin Castro and John Brontsema to end the inning.
The 'Eaters also put two runners on with one out in the fifth following a single by Chris Rabago, who was 2 for 2 and Connor Spencer, who was hit by the pitch. A wild pitch from Eshelman advanced the runners but Sparks struck out and the sophomore induced a fly-ball out off the bat of Munoz.
The Titans tacked on a run in the sixth on an error by reliever Kyle Davis and got three in the ninth to improve to 26-22 and 9-10 in the Big West.
Eshelman improved to 7-3 after striking out nine, walking three and holding UCI to a run on five hits. Davis drove in four runs on two hits to lead the Titans.
Morales struck out eight and walked one while giving up eight hits. Davis, making his first appearance since Apr. 1 against Pepperdine, held the Titans to an unearned run in two relief innings.
The series continues Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and will be televised by Fox Sports Prime Ticket.
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