IRVINE, Calif. --- Friday night's contest in Anteater Ballpark followed a similar path to Thursday's before the Anteater offense rolled up runs in each of the final five innings for a decisive 12-4 victory over Hawai'i to even the series.
Hawai'i (15-9, 1-1) once again found themselves up 3-0 thanks to some faulty 'Eater defense and two out hits in the third inning.
UCI (14-11, 1-1) like Thursday would counter starting with a sharp single from
Cole Kreuter in the fourth to score one, and then some help from Hawai'i's defense in the fifth as a popup to shallow center with two outs was dropped by second baseman Johnny Weeks to score the tying runs putting the game back even, 3-3, after five innings.
Hawai'i snagged a 4-3 lead in the next inning on another two-out hit this time from Adam Fogel. The 'Eaters punched right back in the bottom led off by pinch-hitter
Ryan Johnston's walk. He reached third base by way of a failed pickoff attempt and a groundout, but
Christian Koss' chopper to shortstop gave the 'Eaters two outs.
Jake Palmer stepped up with a single to LF to bring Johnston home and tie things up at 4-4, and then Palmer would induce a balk from reliever Jeremy Yelland moving him into scoring position. Fellow freshman
Brendan Brooks did the rest placing a double into right-center scoring Palmer to give the 'Eaters their first lead of the series at 5-4.
The pitching, which had held most of the game together, was then called upon in the eighth inning and the 'Eaters up 6-4 as
Jordan Bocko exited allowing runners on second and third with nobody out.
Nick Anderson came on, and after walking his first hitter to load the bases, he hit a groove working a strikeout, infield fly, and soft flyout to escape the danger with the lead and not allowing any runs.
His offense then picked him up in the bottom half scoring six runs, five with two outs, highlighted by a pair of two-run singles from Johnston and
Matt Reitano all but seal the 12-4 victory.
Bocko took home the win in a relief effort as he has now earned each of UCI's last three wins pitching scoreless ball over 1.2 innings.
Taylor Rashi went five innings in his second start of the season allowing just one earned run and striking out five. Hawai'i's starter, Cade Smith, did not factor in the decision lasting just 4.2 innings surrendering just one earned run as well. Reliever Jeremy Yelland took the loss, his first this year, fighting through 2.2 innings before yielding five earned runs.
The Anteater offense spread the love nine players registering a hit, eight scoring a run, and seven driving in a run.
Brendan Brooks checked all the boxes with a 3-for-4 night including a double, two RBI, a run, and a walk.
Ryan Fitzpatrick belted a solo homer and doubled twice in a 3-for-3 night adding an RBI, three runs, a HBP, and an intentional walk all while reaching base for the 33rd straight game and giving the 'Eaters their second-highest run and hit totals of the season.
The series comes to a head on Saturday, March 31, with a 2:00 p.m. start in Anteater Ballpark with the winner claiming a series victory in the opening weekend of Big West Conference play
