LONG BEACH STATE, Calif. --- A bases-loaded walk by Long Beach State pushed across the go-ahead run in the eighth and UC Irvine was unable to punch back, losing its fourth consecutive game after dropping a 3-2 decision Thursday at Blair Field. The loss puts the Anteaters in a tie for second in the Big West with the Dirtbags with both teams sporting a 15-7 mark.
The top of the order broke through seven scoreless innings and gave the 'Eaters life with two runs in the top of the eighth. Chris Rabago muscled a hit to left and Connor Spencer delivered a hit-and-run single to put runners on first and third with one out. Taylor Sparks hit a 1-0 offering up the middle to tie the game and Jonathan Munoz drove a 2-2 pitch deep enough to the outfield to score Spencer from third and give UCI a 2-1 edge.
However, Long Beach State answered in the bottom of the inning against starter Andrew Morales. Colby Brenner hit a one-out single to start the rally and took third on Ino Patron's two-out hit. Morales handed the ball off to Sam Moore, who was tagged for an RBI single by Richard Prigatano that tied the game at two runs apiece. With the bases loaded, Moore issued a four-pitch walk to pinch-hitter Daniel Jackson that drove in the go-ahead run.
The Dirtbags took the early lead in the second. Michael Hill sent a full-count pitch to left-centerfield for a leadoff double and advanced to third on the sacrifice bunt from Zack Domingues. UCI brought the infield in and Johnny Bekakis hit a grounder to third but Sparks was unable to hang on to the ball as Hill scored on the play.
UCI, looking to even the score, loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth but shortstop Garrett Hampson made the catch on a sinking line drive by Kris Paulino to end the inning.
Ryan Cooper and Evan Cassolato, who came off the bench, both came up with infield singles to put runners on first and third with two outs for UCI in the seventh. However, the timely hit continued to elude the Anteaters as Mikey Duarte flew out to Prigatano and UCI would leave seven stranded in the loss.
Morales fell to 9-2 after giving up three runs on five hits in 7.2 innings while striking out eight and walking one. McClanahan went 2 for 3 to lead the team.
Andrew Rohrbach pitched 7.1 innings, giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out five while Ty Provencher picked up the win to improve to 4-5 after holding UCI to one hit in 1.2 innings of work.
The series continues Friday at 6:00 p.m.
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