IRVINE, Calif. --- The see-saw series did just that on Sunday in Anteater Ballpark, and Utah Valley delivered the crushing blow with a six-run seventh inning to top the 'Eaters, 9-5.
With the Anteaters (10-8) leading 4-3 entering the seventh inning, Utah Valley (7-11) began its assault with a pair of singles to lead the inning off against starter
Trenton Denholm making way for
Brendan Brooks. UVU busted out five straight hits, many that hardly left the infield, and a sixth with two outs to burst out to the 9-4 lead scoring six runs on eight hits in the inning.
The 'Eaters managed a run in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a UVU fielding error, and threatened in the eighth loading the bases with one out, but the Wolverines turned them away completing the series win with a 9-5 victory.
Both squads held multiple leads in the game including the 'Eaters grabbing a first-inning lead from a two-out RBI double from
Ryan Fitzpatrick. UCI took the lead back in the fifth inning after consecutive bases loaded plays in singles from
Adrian Damla and
Brendan Brooks and a
Cole Kreuter walk put UCI up 4-3 after five innings.
UVU's first lead came in the third inning on a two-run single from Jackson Overlund, two of his four RBI in the game, and an error from
Ryan Fitzpatrick on what could have been an inning ending double play gave Utah Valley a 3-1 edge in the third inning.
Both starters were hit around each giving up four earned runs, seven hits, and striking out six. UC Irvine's
Trenton Denholm earned the loss despite going six innings and 109 pitches. UVU's Walker Ramsey did not factor in the decision lasting just 4.1 innings. Marco Briones held the ship together allowing just an unearned run over three innings.
UCI had 12 hits and four players with multiple hits led by
Christian Koss going 2-for-5 and 5-for-11 over the series.
Adrian Damla had a pair of RBI with his two hits while
Parker Coss scored twice.
Jackson Overlund took over after a quiet series with three hits and four RBI on Sunday. Michael Beltran added three hits and scored twice.
The 'Eaters drop their first home series of the season, and return for a midweek game in Anteater Ballpark Tuesday vs. USC, March 20 at 6:30 p.m.
