IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine rode the back of Andre Pallante once again to snag a 3-0 shutout victory Friday night at Joe Etzel Field to open the series against Portland.

Pallante spun another gem shutting out the Pilots (4-9) through eight innings lowering his Big West-leading ERA down to 0.33. The sophomore allowed just five hits and one walk mixing in eight strikeouts to improve to 3-0 allowing just one Pilot to reach second base on the evening.

The 'Eaters (8-4) needed every bit of Pallante giving him just one run of support through his eight innings coming in the first inning. Leadoff singles from Jake Palmer and Brendan Brooks set the table for a sacrifice fly from Ryan Fitzpatrick putting UCI up, 1-0.

Then Pallante and Portland starter Eli Morse went to work shutting down each other's offense through seven. Morse scattered seven Anteater hits and struck out seven before exiting after seven innings. Tate Budnick entered and gave up a couple runs in the ninth inning on RBI singles from Jacob Castro and Mike Peabody giving UC Irvine some much needed insurance

Taylor Rashi relieved Pallante in the ninth and lasted just two batters walking each to bring the tying run to the plate and Jordan Bocko called upon to save the lead. Bocko struck out all three Pilots he faced slamming the door and earning the save and an Anteater 3-0 victory.

UCI earns its second shutout of the year, and now three different Anteaters have earned a save. UCI also managed its first runs in the ninth inning scoring twice.

Jacob Castro managed the only multi-hit night for the 'Eaters. Ryan Fitzpatrick's hit streak was snapped at 10 games, but he, along with Brendan Brooks, extended on-base streaks to 20 and 11 games, respectively.

Beau Brundage singled twice for the Pilots and reached three times. Morse fell to 1-2 with the loss.

The 'Eaters square up for two games on Saturday with the first starting at 3:00 p.m. and Louis Raymond on the bump. Alonzo Garcia is expected to start in the second game to begin approximately 30 minutes after game one's conclusion.