IRVINE, Calif. --- In a series UC Irvine baseball had to have, it took a mighty step as it open the weekend with a 28-1 victory over UC Riverside Thursday night in Anteater Ballpark where they celebrated Salute to Heroes Night at the park.
The bats erupted and didn't let up with a record-breaking 28 runs on the night topping the old high of 25 runs UC Irvine totaled twice in games back in 1972 and 1982. The 28 are the most for the Big West this season and stands as the 12th-most runs in a game nationally this year. A big part was scoring nine runs in two separate innings to help record the largest margin of victory in UCI (36-17, 17-11) history, previously at 25, and fifth-largest margin of victory nationally this year. UCI did it on just 18 hits thanks to another record that was breached by the 'Eaters drawing 16 walks tying a record set in 1972.
Leading the gaudy numbers was fourth-year outfielder
Luke Spillane as he had three hits missing a cycle by a single, homering to really put separation in the game for a three-run shot to make it 6-1 in the third inning, and scored five times to set a career high. He scored twice in the nine-run eighth inning which included a two-run double to officially break the record and tie his career high of six RBIs in a game.
Everyone got into the offensive act:
- Dub Gleed had a four-hit game driving in five runs for the second time this month, a month in which he's driven in 26 runs in 13 games
- Thomas McCaffrey reached in all five times to the plate driving on four runs and clubbing three doubles
- Chase Call was 1 of 2 starters that didn't record a hit, but the Big West leader in walks drew four free passes and scored each time
- All 12 Anteaters that played Thursday night scored a run including six players with three or more runs
- Caden Kendle had the game's first hit extending his on-base streak to 41 games doubling along with a run and RBI in the game
- Blake Penso came off the bench to launch his first career home run, a three-run shot in the eighth that gave UCI it's record-tying 25th run of the night
- Jacob Stinson also came off the bench for a run, an RBI single, and hit the team's third sacrifice fly of the night extending UCI's national lead to 50
Lost in all the fireworks was another stellar outing for Anteater senior
Michael Stanford. He allowed just two hits and an unearned run over six innings to pick up his seventh win of the year. He added a career high seven strikeouts on the night, and together with
Cameron Wheeler,
Max Martin, and
Elliot Joslin held UC Riverside (11-39, 5-23) to four hits with each recording a strikeout.
The win is just the first of three important wins the 'Eaters need this weekend with postseason hopes hanging in the balance. The teams go at it again Friday with
Nick Pinto and Alexander Rivas squaring off with a 6:00 p.m. first pitch.
Â
Â
Â
Â
