IRVINE, Calif --- UC Irvine baseball hosted UCSB and ESPN2 Sunday afternoon in Anteater Ballpark unable to pull out a win in an 8-4 loss.
- The visitors put the 'Eaters in a big hole scoring in each of the first three innings. Two first-innings runs on three hits against Jack Ross set the tone, and a bases-clearing double with two outs in the third led to a four-run frame and a 7-0 Gauchos lead
- UCI began to mount a comeback started by Landon Gaz's two-run home run, and a double by Zach Fjelstad looked to score another run but a UCSB relay cut down a run at the plate
- The bullpens took over late in the game until UCI got a leadoff home run in the ninth by pinch-hitter and freshman Lucas Schermer. UCI forced in another run to bring the tying run to the plate before a grounder for the final out
UC Santa Barbara 8, UC Irvine 4
- After spotting UCSB a 7-0 lead, UCI's bullpen held it down allowing one run over the final six innings
- Most of UCI's offense came from the long ball
- Landon Gaz had a two-hit day including his team-leading fourth home run of the year driving in two of UCI's runs
- Schermer's home run was the first of his career and the first pinch-hit homer for UCI since Jacob Stinson back in 2024
- Other solid days came from Fjelstad with two hits, a run and a hit each for Efren Ortega and Alonso Reyes, and Auggie Gutierrez had a 13-pitch at-bat early in the game, and earned an RBI on a walk in the ninth
UCI falls to 8-10 in Big West play, tied for seventh place, and an overall record of 17-21. Their next chance will be against UC San Diego, April 24-26, at Triton Ballpark as they sit in a three-way tie atop the Big West
