IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine baseball started the season 5-0 before Saturday's 11-2 defeat to California in Anteater Ballpark.

• The visiting Golden Bears started things off from first pitch driving a home run to left field to lead 1-0, and ended the frame up 2-0
• UCI got a run home from Alonso Reyes on an RBI single to drawn within 2-1 after one inning
• California punched back with three in the third inning including a big blow on a two-run single that turned into a three-bagger on a fielding error, and that runner eventually came around in the inning putting UCI down 5-3
• Reyes struck back for a two-out RBI double in the bottom half aided by the sun to make it 5-2
• Cal pitching took over the rest of the way as starter Ethan Foley allowed just the two runs and four hits over five innings. Otto Espinoza followed him with four hitless and scoreless innings to wrap up the save and 11-2 win

California 11, UC Irvine 2

• Ricky Ojeda lasted just three innings allowing four earned runs out of the five drawing the loss
  • Four other Anteaters made their 2026 debuts on the mound including fifth-years Danny Suarez and David Butler, Julian Custer made his UCI debut going 1.2 scoreless with a strikeout, and Tyler Foster allowed one baserunner and stranded three inherited runners in 2.1 shutout innings
• Reyes finished with the two UCI RBIs and two of the four hits on offense

The series wraps up Sunday at 1:00 p.m  with freshman Cade Castles looking to win the series against California's Gavin Eddy