IRVINE, Calif. --- No. 21 UC Irvine took all three over the weekend against CSUN finishing with a 2-0 victory Saturday afternoon in Anteater Ballpark.

Pitching Overpowers
The early goings of Saturday game belonged to starters Trenton Denholm and Blake Sodersten. Sodersten held the 'Eaters in check the first time through the order, and allowed just two hits in his 4.2 innings. Denholm bent a couple times putting runners on second and third with one out in the first and two other times allowing Matadors into scoring position, but he was able to maintain the shutout each time.

Manufacturing A Lead
UCI (25-9, 8-4) got the bats flowing in the sixth inning against reliever Blaine Traxel from a HBP to Mike Peabody and a single the other way by Brandon Lewis to start the frame. Adrian Damla came through again reaching out to lace a ball to center field that was caught, but deep enough to bring home Peabody for a 1-0 Anteater lead.

Rashi Rumbles On
UC Irvine's senior closer came on to shut things down once again for the third time this week. He entered with two outs in the seventh to get the final out, and retired every CSUN (16-22, 4-8) hitter over the eighth and ninth to seal the victory. Rashi's efforts picked up save No. 9 of the season as he's allowed a grand total of 12 baserunners in 21.2 innings this year. He also hasn't allowed a run as he's built a streak of scoreless innings dating back to 2018 that's up to 27.2 consecutive shutout innings, good for a new UCI record surpassing Trenton Denholm's 27 innings he set earlier this year

Final Score: No. 21 UC Irvine 2, CSUN 0
The 'Eaters got a seventh-inning insurance run on Sam Ireland's two-out single. He scored Konnor Zickefoose who had the only two-hit performance of the day including a double. CSUN managed just four hits, two for doubles.

Pitchers of Record
Trenton Denholm improved to 7-1 winning from four hits and two walks allowing over 6.2 innings. dropping his ERA down even further to 1.66. For the Anteaters, they tossed their seventh shutout of the year as a staff keeping them near the tops in the NCAA in that stat. Traxel picked up the loss for CSUN now at 0-2 as CSUN used six pitchers to five-hit UCI along with issuing one walk.

Next Up
Another big week is on the horizon for UCI as it is back on the road for four games starting Tuesday, Apr. 23 at 6:00 p.m. at USC. The 'Eaters have a pivotal Big West matchup next weekend traveling to Cal State Fullerton for the weekend series