IRVINE, Calif. --- The Anteaters were overwhelmed Saturday all over the field falling, 14-2, to Hawai'i at Anteater Ballpark.
Hawai'i (16-9, 2-1) made its move early with a five-run second inning, twice from infield singles, and punctuated by a two-run double from Adam Fogel putting the 'Eaters (14-12, 1-2) in a big hole.
UC Irvine cut into the deficit in the bottom of the inning loading the bases with two outs and forcing a run across the plate as
Jake Palmer was hit by a pitch. The Rainbow Warriors got the run back on a groundout in the third, and pushed the envelope with two more in the fourth on a Logan Pouelsen double and another two in the fifth on a Johnny Weeks two-out single to amass a 10-1 lead in the fifth.
The 'Eaters could not figure out UH starter Neil Uskali who pitched into the eighth inning and perplexed UCI hitters who had 10 hits on the afternoon, but could only get two runs home on the afternoon. Meanwhile, the Rainbow Warriors put the cherry on top with four runs in the ninth to finish the game off winning 14-2.
Uskali got the victory improving the 5-1 on the season allowing just one earned run and not issuing a walk in his 7.2 innings. UCI starter
Trenton Denholm was hit around for six runs on seven hits and two walks in just two innings. He was the first of six Anteater pitchers, four of which allowed a run.
Evan McMillin and
Alonzo Garcia pitched scoreless ball going two and one innings, respectively.
The top of the order reaped the benefits of the offensive display Saturday as Maaki Yamazaki, Johnny Weeks, and Adam Fogel each drove three runs home. Fogel led all players with three hits and one of the team's five doubles. Dustin Demeter and Dylan Vchulek at the bottom of the order each scored three runs in the game.
UCI's offensive star was
Cole Kreuter with two hits and an RBI.
Ryan Fitzpatrick reached three times, twice on hits, and scored a run as he added to his on-base streak now at 34 straight games.
The 'Eaters will return to Big West play next weekend with a trip up the road to Long Beach State for three games from April 6-8. Next up, UCI plays the Toreros at USD on Tuesday, Apr. 3 starting at 6:00 p.m.
