IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine led late Saturday afternoon in Anteater Ballpark, but Cal State Fullerton scored four times in the final two innings to snatch the game and series, 5-3.

The Anteaters (25-16, 8-6) build a 3-1 lead entering the eighth inning on the backs of a pair of second inning runs from a Nick Anderson solo homer and Jake Palmer RBI groundout, and then got a run back in the seventh thanks to a Ryan Johnston flare single to right field pushing the lead back to two runs after Cal State Fullerton (21-20, 8-3) got on the board in the top of the sixth. UCI brought in closer Jordan Bocko to help preserve the advantage and even up the series, but the Titans strung together a few extra-base hits to tie things up, 3-3.

The Titans only needed one hit in the ninth inning finding a way to get on and in against Bocko. After the first two hitters were hit by a pitch and walked, Hank LoForte laid down a sacrifice bunt that Parker Coss tried to cut down the lead runner at third base, but the throw was just late loading the bases. Ruben Cardenas laced a sacrifice fly bringing home the tying run, and Daniel Cope added the hit, a single to right field, scoring the insurance run to put CSF up for good, 5-3.

The 'Eaters have now dropped two straight after building a season-long six-game winning streak. Bocko took the loss, now 3-2 on the season, with his second blown save of the year allowing four runs on four hits in two innings. Starter Taylor Rashi scattered seven hits over 5.1 innings allowing just a single run without aide of a strikeout.

CSF starter Tommy Wilson was staked with the three Anteater runs striking out five while pitching into the sixth. His bullpen came up big shutting UCI out for the final three innings as Blake Workman and winning pitcher, Brett Conine, struck out five while allowing four hits and two walks between them.

Anderson's home run was his second of the year, both coming at home. The 'Eaters have now lost their last two matchups in which they've homered after winning 17 of their first 18. Matt Reitano doubled as part of his two-hit day. Ryan Johnston and Jake Palmer added RBIs scoring Parker Coss each time who reached base in all four plate appearances, two on singles and twice more on walks.

Cal State Fullerton's offense was fueled by its 1-2-3 hitters in the order who went a combined 7-for-13. Ruben Cardenas drove home two runs and Mitchell Berryhill scored twice in addition to recording two doubles.

UC Irvine has yet to win a home series in its existence against Cal State Fullerton as that streak continued with the loss Saturday. UCI is firmly-planted in third place in the conference at 8-6 behind CSF (8-3) and Hawai'i (8-5) still needing to play on Saturday. The 'Eaters look to avoid its first sweep of the season with Sunday's finale - a 1:00 p.m. start featuring that last two Big West Pitchers of the Week, Trenton Denholm and Andrew Quezada