SAN DIEGO, Calif. --- UC Irvine baseball got a big midweek win thanks to some guys from former San Diego schools topping the Toreros, 12-3, Tuesday night in Fowler Park.
- Starting pitcher Ryan Kysar was the main event taking on his old program where he spent the last three years. He played the part with four shutout innings striking out seven with just three hits allowed to set the tone
- Jacob McCombs, a transfer from San Diego State, felt at home back in San Diego as well pelting four hits including two doubles and driving in four as part of the offensive attack
- The game really got going in a 0-0 game in the fourth inning as UCI loaded the bases from an error, single, and beating out a force play at second base. Zach Fjelstad connected for a ball in the right-center gap past the diving outfielder to plate all three on a triple.
- UCI finished that inning with four runs and scoring in five of the final six innings to grow the lead to 12-0
- The pitching aside from a three-run ninth inning was spectacular as Ryder Brooks followed Kysar with two shutout innings, and David Butler and Jaxton Andeel kept things going with shutout frames.
- UCI needed just 10 hits with help from five walks and six hit batsmen to fill up the scoreboard
- Rowan Felsch and Chase Call took advantage of that scoring twice without a hit on the night
- Theo Kim making his first start at second base reached three times including two hits and scored twice
- Colin Yeaman had two RBIs including a two-out RBI double
The Anteaters go into the weekend and Big West play on a six-game winning streak. The fun begins Friday, March 7 with first pitch at 6:00 p.m. hosting the rival Long Beach State for the series.
Postgame Thoughts with Ryan Kysar
"Tonight started off pretty emotional, just coming back where I spent the majority of my time in college, but at the end of the day, it's just about execution, pitch after pitch, and just going after them."
"Knowing those guys a little bit definitely helps. I've probably faced them hundreds of times, it felt like back playing Fall games here. But I think just commanding the fastball down, good height, then mixing with off speeds."
"Our offense is insane, our bullpen is locked down, all of that can lead to a great season."
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