SAN JOSE, Calif. --- UC Irvine made a late push to try for the doubleheader split, but failed to put enough together dropping to 1-2 on the season with an 8-5 loss to San Jose State Saturday evening in Municipal Stadium.
UCI (1-2) actually got things going with a 2-out rally in the first after Wyatt Castro singled home Keston Hiura who tripled prior for the early 1-0 lead.
The Spartans (2-1) quickly answered with three runs in the second inning helped along by an error and passed ball.
Hiura helped UCI cut the deficit with another 2-out RBI in the fifth, but SJSU piled on with two unearned runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh to extend the lead to 8-2.
The 'Eaters didn't lay down driving home three more runs with two outs in the eighth to make it a ballgame heading to the ninth, but Steven Gomez closed the door to finish out the game for the save and the 8-5 victory.
Shane Timmons continued to pace SJSU going 2-for-2 scoring three times, and was complimented by three-RBI days from Ozzy Braff and Aaron Pleschner.
Logan Handzlik put in five innings for the win allowing two earned runs despite four walks. Gomez cleaned up the final three innings without a strikeout for the Spartans.
UCI's starter Cameron Bishop allowed three earned over 5.2 innings. Three freshman picked up the other 2.1 innings led by scoreless innings from Mitchell Miller and Miles Glazier. Jordan Bocko got tagged for three runs in 1/3 of an inning a night after earning his first career save.
Senior Jonathan Munoz noted the key role defense played, and how shoring that up would improve the pitching.
"There were some good signs offensively and defensively. We really need to do a better job stringing together quality at-bats. It's also important to tighten up the defense. We just had defensive breakdowns; too many extra bases, easy opportunities, not a good performance."
The Anteaters will look to salvage a series split on Sunday with a 1:00 p.m. start time and sophomore Shaun Vetrovec on the bump.
"Never fun when you lose. You can go 4-for-4, and if you lose its tough. The fact that we lost both games really takes away from any success I had at the plate. Really important to get the win tomorrow."
_________________________________________________________________
For UC Irvine Athletics ticket information, please call (949) 824-5000 or e-mail athletics.tickets@uci.edu. For more information click here.
For information on how you can help support UC Irvine Athletics, please call (949) 824-6933 or e-mail aaf@uci.edu. For additional information, click here.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and by downloading the UCI Front Row app, available free to all Anteater fans through iTunes and Google Play, to view schedules, results, and up-to-the-minute news.
