IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine returned home from an eight-game road trip with style blasting out 15 runs and 18 hits to down UNLV, 15-2, in Anteater Ballpark Monday afternoon.
UCI (23-14, 6-6) got it going with a pair of second-inning big flies. Jonathan Munoz elevated a pitch high over the right field wall for a two-run homer. Matt Reitano would follow suit four batters later powering his own two-run homer way out over the left field fence to give the 'Eaters the 4-0 lead after two.
The Anteaters duplicated things the next inning with another four-spot started by back-to-back doubles from John Brontsema and Keston Hiura who returned following a three-game absence to run his on-base streak to 50 games. The runs continued with an RBI knock from Adam Alcantara and the final two on a double from Evan Cassolato to make it an 8-0 gam through three.
UCI continued to build their lead with runs in each of the next four innings as they pounded out 18 hits, a home-record eight doubles, three homeruns, and 35 total bases altogether to complete the 15-2 victory.
UNLV added their two runs on a two-out RBI double in the sixth from Cooper Esmay and a run-scoring grounder the following inning from Max Smith. Otherwise, the Anteater bullpen held firm allowing just the two runs over the final five innings in support of starter Chris Vargas who put in a career-high four innings allowing two hits and walking two in addition to five strikeouts to tie his personal best.
Mitchell Holland paced the offense with a four-hit day including a trio of doubles, RBIs, and runs. Evan Cassolato drove home three for the second straight game while Hiura, Alcantara, and Cole Kreuter each scored twice. Kreuter also blasted his first career home run as part of the offensive outburst that saw every starter collect a hit.
The 15 runs, 18 hits, and 11 extra-base hits are single-game highs for the team on the season. The eight doubles are the second-most in a game in program history while the 11 extra-base hits did set a home record previously set at nine in a game against Hawai'i in 2008. They totaled 35 total bases which was one shy of a home record, and finished as the fourth-most in a game in the team's history.
UNLV starter Ryan Hare was touched up for six runs on six hits as he worked into the third inning. His relief Blaze Bohall matched him with six runs on six hits also in just two innings.
UCI will roll into its fifth game in as many days Tuesday as they travel to USC for a 6:00 p.m. game. Miles Glazier will get the call as the 'Eaters come off consecutive 10+ run performances.
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