IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine was unable to hold on to a one-run lead, losing a 2-1 decision in the 10th to Cal State Fullerton Saturday at Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark.
The Anteaters squandered a stellar start by Elliot Surrey, who pitched seven shutout innings and struck out eight while scattering six hits.
The sophomore was given a 1-0 lead in the fourth as Jerry McClanahan hit a clutch single to right to cash in Taylor Sparks' one-out double to center. After the fourth, UCI was unable to add to the lead, leaving runners stranded in scoring position in four of the final six frames.
The Titans bided their time and rebounded from eight scoreless innings with the tying run in the ninth. Closer Sam Moore gave up a single in the shutout eighth but ran into trouble in the ninth. Jared Deacon and Taylor Bryant hit back-to-back, one out singles and Tyler Stieb was hit by the pitch to load the bases. Keegan Dale's come-backer, ricocheted off Moore's foot for an infield single that would drive in Deacon to knot the score.
McClanahan was hit by the pitch to lead off the ninth and Kris Paulino's bunt pushed McClanahan to second. However, Matt Chapman made a play on a slow dribbler that hugged the third-base line to get Justin Castro and Adam Alcantara hit a shot to first that was knocked down by Velazquez, who beat Alcantara to the bag for the final out, leaving the go-ahead run stranded.
A leadoff hit by the Titans would come back to hurt the Anteaters in the 10th. Velasquez hit a sinking line drive to center and Castro sprinted to make the sliding catch but was unable to come up with the ball. Jimmy Litchfield then hit Clay Williamson with the pitch to put runners on first and second with one out and Deacon hit a 1-2 offering to left to drive in the eventual game-winning run, handing Litchfield the eventual loss (3-2).
J.D. Davis pitched the 10th for the Titans and struck out the first two batters he faced. Connor Spencer hit flare to left to keep the inning alive but Sparks hit a towering fly ball to center to end the game as Davis collected his fifth save.
McClanahan led UCI with two hits and an RBI. Moore pitched two innings, giving up a run on four this while Litchfield allowed a run on two hits in 2/3 innings.
Justin Garza struck out four in seven innings while giving up a run on six hits in the no-decision. Phil Bickford picked up the win after two hitless innings in relief.
The two teams end the series Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
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