LAS VEGAS, Nev. --- UC Irvine came back to the brink of tying it twice after spotting UNLV a seven-spot only to leave the tying and go-ahead runs on base in an 8-6 defeat to the Rebels in Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
The 'Eaters loaded the bases in the eighth and ninth innings trailing by just two, but were befelled by a strike out to end the eighth and a sharp grounder to finish off the game.
UCI (25-17, 7-8) began the eighth inning staring at an 8-2 deficit, but got into a groove with leadoff singles from Matt Reitano and Parker Coss. The Rebels got a pair of outs before Keston Hiura smashed a double into the gap to run starter Cody Roper from the game and begin the rally.
Reliever Larry Quaney came in and gave up runs on his first two pitches to make it a two-run game. A hit by pitch and walk loaded things up before Jonathan Munoz was cut down on strikes.
A single, hit by pitch, and walk loaded things up once again with two outs for Evan Cassolato. After a run-scoring double and triple earlier in the game, he battled closer Blaze Bohall, but his sharp grounder to second sealed the game at 8-6.
The 'Eaters held the early lead with a two-out, two-run single from Grant Palmer through the right side in the fourth to lead 2-0.
UNLV (20-24) quickly changed the momentum with a three-run home run from Austin Anderson to give starter Shaun Vetrovec the early hook. The Rebels rode the wave to four more runs in the inning helped along by a two-out error on a grounder to shortstop that John Brontsema couldn't handle putting UCI in a 7-2 hole.
Another home run in the seventh stretched the lead to 8-2, and further helped UNLV starter Cody Roper who was very effective through 7.2 innings. Most of his five runs were allowed late in the eighth inning as he allowed just one walk and struck out five.
Shaun Vetrovec pitched around trouble with really only one troublesome pitch allowing seven hits and three runs over 3.1 innings. Jordan Bocko gave up four runs with just one earned. Daniel Alvarez was impressive with two perfect innings.
Justin Jones powered the Rebel offense with a 4-for-4 day with a homer and 3 RBIs. Anderson's three-run homer was complimented with two-hit days from A.J. VanMeetren and Payton Squier.
UCI's offense began with the return of Keston Hiura going 3-for-5 with a double, 2 RBIs, and two runs scored. Cassolato doubled and tripled with an RBI and run scored.
UCI splits the season series with UNLV pounding out 21 runs and 28 hits in the two games. It returns to the road this weekend travelling to UCLA on Friday, May 6. The game starts at 6:00 p.m. before the 'Eaters return home on Saturday with a 2:00 p.m. start against them. The series ends Sunday at 1:00 p.m. back at UCLA as the 'Eaters take a break from conference play.
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