PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Anteaters and Pilots exchanged big hits and pivotal defensive plays all afternoon, but it was Portland who came out victorious earning a split on the weekend with UC Irvine thanks to a 7-6 win Sunday at Joe Etzel Field.

UCI (9-6) got out to another first-inning lead with a sacrifice fly off the bat of Konnor Zickefoose. Portland (6-10) answered right back with three in the bottom half off Anteater starter Trenton Denholm who didn't help his cause throwing away a ball on a sacrifice bunt attempt as he tried to cut down the lead runner.

The freshman would find his groove getting a double play to stall that rally and work into the fifth inning. The 'Eaters got him back in the game tying things up courtesy of a Christian Koss triple and a second sac fly, this time from Jake Palmer, as Denholm entered the fifth with a lead.

Denholm labored to start the fifth loading the bases on walks before he gave way to Brendan Brooks taking over on the mound from the DH spot. The Pilots got the lead back on a sac fly, but a fine defensive play by Koss diving up the middle to keep the ball on the infield and then firing home to nab the runner trying to score from second and keep the 'Eaters at a one-run deficit.

The 'Eaters tied things back up with a two-out double into the alley from Zickefoose scoring Palmer, but Jacob Castro was gunned down at the plate for the inning's final out. The rally continued on to the eighth inning as a Christian Koss squeeze play that pitcher Tate Budnick couldn't handle moving Cole Kreuter on to third where he would score the second run of the inning on another sac fly. UCI was however nailed at the plate for a second straight inning trying to get a third run home keeping Portland within striking distance.

Brooks went out for his fourth inning of work, but gave up two quick hits cutting the lead back down to 6-5 as Evan McMillin looked to preserve the lead. More flashy Anteater defense would pick off another runner at home plate, but a clutch two-out single from Beau Brundage scored the tying and eventual game-winning runs to swipe the comeback win away from the 'Eaters and handing it to Portland, 7-6.

McMillin suffered the loss, his first of the season, allowing a run in his inning of work. Denholm was responsible for four runs in his four-plus innings of work on the afternoon.

Brendan Brooks did everything he could in three innings on the hook for a pair of runs, but had another sterling day at the plate with three hits.

Zickefoose, Palmer, and Koss each had a pair of RBI. Zickefoose and Palmer each added a pair of hits while Palmer scored twice. The Anteaters finished with four doubles and a triple for its best extra-base hit performance on the year as part of a 13-hit effort.

Beau Brundage continued his assault over the weekend with three hits, two RBI, and two runs scored to lead the Pilots. Cody Hawken added two hits and three RBI as six different Pilots scored on the afternoon.

Tate Budnick earned the win despite giving up three runs in innings of work. Nick Shur earned his second save of the weekend, and starter Camden Muller did not factor into the decision despite a quality start allowing three runs over six innings.

The squads split a four game series each winning two as the 'Eaters will return home after seven straight road games. UC Irvine and Utah Valley square up for three games over the weekend scheduled to start Friday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m.