OREM, Utah --- No. 22 UC Irvine fought from behind to tie things in the ninth against Utah Valley, and left no doubt with a 13-run 10th inning to secure Saturday's win and a series victory Saturday afternoon at UCCU Ballpark.

UVU Finds Its Offense
The Wolverines (3-15) found their stroke early in the game after being shut out Friday night. Alexander Marco provided the game's first runs with a towering solo home run to left field in the first for the 1-0 lead. After the Anteaters tied things the next inning, UVU snagged the lead back in the third inning with a soft two-out single from Kody Hall scoring Trevor Howell after a double down the line to lead 2-1.

Sergeant Schultz
Utah Valley's starter Paxton Schultz put in an impressive performance on the mound battling through 113 pitches into the seventh inning holding the Anteaters (11-4) to a single run despite walking six to equal his entire total for the year coming in. He left with one out in the seventh with two runners in scoring position to Cole Yocum who made the pitches to preserve the lead at 2-1 UVU through seven. The Wolverines came through with three straight two-out hits in the bottom of the frame capped by a Mick Madsen two-run triple extending the advantage to 4-1 with just two innings to play.

The Comeback
The 'Eaters had put runners in position all game, but couldn't bring them around scoring just once Mike Peabody single in the second. UVU brought in closer Jesse Schmit in the eighth and promptly allowed a triple off the top of the wall to Mikey Filia to close the gap to 4-3, but again the 'Eaters were denied the tying or go-ahead runs on solid UVU defense as the game went to the ninth in favor of the Wolverines, 4-3. UCI dumped a single with one out in the ninth from Christian Koss to get the rally going. A failed pickoff from Schmit went up the line getting Koss all the way to third base, and Brendan Brooks got him home to tie the game, 4-4. The 'Eaters would still leave the bases loaded stranding 17 runners through nine innings. Taylor Rashi was called upon to get the Wolverines out sending the game to extra innings

The 10th Inning
UCI finally had life getting into the UVU bullpen, and it showed no mercy loading the bases on two singles and a walk to chase the first pitcher of the inning. Christian Koss hit a sharp grounder gloved by shortstop Trevor Howell on a dive, but he could not make a play bringing home the go-ahead run with the bases still loaded and no one out. Two walks and a hit by pitch brought in three more runs and a second reliever in the inning to pitch to Mikey Filia. The first pitch Filia saw he launched out to left field for a grand slam and eight runs home without an out recorded. A single, HBP, and a walk loaded the bases and gave way to the third Wolverine pitcher who got the first batter he faced on a fielder's choice, but Brendan Brooks smoked a monster home run out to left field giving UCI 12 runs in the inning. UCI tacked on a program-record 13th run in the 40-minute half inning where 18 batters came to the plate sealing the victory, 17-4.

Final Score: No. 22 UC Irvine 17, Utah Valley 4 (10 innings)
UCI's 17 runs were the most since 2012 when the 'Eaters put 17 on Lamar. Filia finished 3-for-6 with six RBIs with his second career HR, second in as many days, along with a triple and a stolen base. Adrian Damla and Mike Peabody each reached base six times, both with three hits, and four walks and two HBP between them. Jake Palmer walked four times in addition to two hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Christian Koss scored three times and had two RBIs on just one hit. UVU's Alexander Marco went 4-for-4 in a losing cause registering a double and homer among his hits.

Pitchers of Record
Taylor Rashi's scoreless ninth inning was enough for the win, the fourth of his career, while upping his scoreless streak to 15.2 innings. Both starter did not figure into the decision including UCI starter Tanner Brubaker who went 5.1 allowing two earned, striking out three, and walking four. Romeo Carrillo drew the loss for UVU allowing three earned runs in 0.1 innings. All seven Utah Valley pitchers on the afternoon allowing a run and issued a walk among their 230 pitches

Inside the Numbers

• UCI's 13 runs in an inning are a program record, its the 13th time in program history UCI has had 10 or more runs in a frame. The previous high was 11 done four different times, the most recent in 2008
• Prior to Saturday, a UCI batter had recorded eight plate appearances in a game just three times (Gary Dudrey and Brett Dalton, May 4, 2003 & Matt Fisher, May 9, 2004). Today, three Anteaters had eight plate appearances in Jake Palmer, Mikey Filia, and Brandon Lewis
• Brandon Lewis became the second Anteater in program history with eight official at-bats in a game joining Fisher in 2004.
• Mikey Filia's grand slam is the 32nd in program history
• Filia drove in 6 RBIs, the most for a UCI hitter since Jordan Fox had six at Lamar in 2012. It's the 15th 6-RBI game in program history
• Jake Palmer walked four times tying an Anteater record. 14 other times has an Anteater walked four times in a game, the most recent in April 2017 from Evan Cassolato
• UC Irvine left 19 runners on base Saturday, the seventh time since 2002 that UCI has left as many as 16 on base. It's the second-highest total behind 21 UCI had left on twice - once in 2016, a 10-inning win vs. Nevada, and also in 2003, a 13-inning win at Cal Poly
• The 18 batters to come to the plate in the 10th inning is a program record
• The 15 walks drawn by the Anteaters are the second-most in program history, one shy of the record 16 set in 1971 against So Cal College. It's the most in a contest since March 10 of last year when UCI walked 12 times at Portland
• The Anteaters sent a total of 66 men to the plate in the game
• Sam Ireland has now been hit by a pitch in three consecutive plate appearances (twice Friday night, once Saturday)

Next Up
UC Irvine wrapped up a series victory on Saturday, wins now in all five series in 2019. The Anteaters go for the sweep Sunday, March 17, at 11:00 a.m. PT behind starter Trenton Denholm coming off a Big West Pitcher of the Week honor, riding a string of 19 scoreless innings pitched and one hit allowed in his last 16.2 IP as he faces RHP Walker Ramsey for the Wolverines