IRVINE, Calif. --- No. 22 Anteaters charged down the stretch breaking a late-inning tie for a 5-1 victory over Washington State Saturday night in Anteater Ballpark.

New Faces
The 'Eaters (14-4) infused their lineup with some new faces Saturday night, and it paid instant dividends. In the second inning, UCI got two quick outs before Christian Koss was hit by a pitch. Griffin Mazur and Sam Ireland, each making their second starts of the year, came up providing a single from Mazur and another single through the left-side hole from Ireland in his first career at-bat in Anteater Ballpark to score Koss and put UCI up, 1-0.

Cougar Comeback
The 1-0 lead stood until the fifth when leadoff hitter Kodie Kolden popped a ball high down the left field line just over the fence and inside the foul pole for a home run tying things at 1-1.

Big Brooks
Making his first appearance off the bench this year, Brendan Brooks was called upon in the sixth inning after the 'Eaters got second and third with two outs. He responded by shooting a ball off the first baseman's glove and through for a two-run single putting UCI up 3-1.

Unearned Insurance
UC Irvine built on their lead the next inning with another two-out knock supplied by Brandon Lewis dumping a ball in front of the right fielder to score Griffin Mazur. Jake Palmer, who started the play on first base, sprinted for third base after outfielder Tyson Guerrero's throw was high of second base. Catcher Rob Teel came up the third base line to make a play on the ball, but his throw to third was wide allowing Palmer to come around and make it 5-1 UCI through seven.

Final Score: No. 22 UC Irvine 5, Washington State 1
Mazur was keyed in as the only 'Eater with multiple hits scoring once. Brooks finished with a pair of RBIs while Brandon Lewis reached three times on two walks and a single scoring once and driving in another as the 'Eaters scored all five runs with two outs. Kodie Kolden had two of WSU's 10 hits as the Cougars stranded 10 runners including bases loaded once and five runners in scoring position.

Pitchers of Record
Tanner Brubaker got back to winning with his second of the year scattering eight hits over 6.2 innings on a career high 101 pitches. A.J. Block tossed 99 pitches of his own, but took the loss allowing three earned runs in 5.2 innings along with seven strikeouts. John Vergara continued his scoreless run, and Taylor Rashi did as well as each had two strikeouts over 1.1 innings.

Next Up
The Anteaters and Cougars finish their series Sunday, March 24 with a 1:00 p.m. game. Trenton Denholm takes the mound against fellow sophomore Hayden Rosenkrantz