'Eaters Denied Sweep with Sunday Loss, 5-3

Sunday, May 10

Riverside, Calif.

1:00 PM

UC Irvine

23-26, 12-15

UC Riverside

15-34, 10-17

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
UC Irvine	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	3	9	0
UC Riverside	0	0	1	2	0	1	1	0	X	5	9	0

Zach Crandall stands on first base with assistant coach Ryan Johnston in a game at UC Riverside

Photo by: Elena Versage | UC Riverside Athletics

'Eaters Denied Sweep with Sunday Loss, 5-3

May 10, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

By: Alex Roberts-Croteau

RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- UC Irvine baseball was unable to replicate the offense from the first two games of the series falling short on Sunday, 5-3, against UC Riverside at Riverside Sports Complex

Early on, the double play ball was working against the 'Eaters with one in each of the first two innings denying the 'Eaters despite getting four on base
UCR took the initiative scoring with two outs in the third inning to start the scoring, and added another two-out RBI in the fourth which proceeded a sacrifice fly to lead, 3-0
The Anteaters finally got to starter Joshua Martinez with three consecutive baserunners on the sixth highlighted by Zach Crandall's double off the top of the center field wall to draw within, 3-2. A wild pitch with two outs helped to tie the game, 3-3
UCR quickly responded with an RBI triple with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, and another two-out RBI in the seventh gave them some breathing room

UC Riverside 5, UC Irvine 3

The loss puts a huge dent into UCI's postseason chances as they sit at 12-15 in the Big West, two games behind Hawai'i and Cal State Fullerton who hold the final two championship spots.
- UCI still have a glimmer of hope needing a sweep to end the season this week vs. Cal State Bakersfield and one of Hawai'i or Cal State Fullerton to get swept in their final series
UCI's three-headed pitching moster of Hunter Manning, Ricky Ojeda, and Danny Suarez each had similar pitching lines
- Manning went 2.2 innings allowing just one run and striking out two
- Ojeda allowed two runs in 2.1 innings with two strikeouts
- Suarez drew the loss after three innings, two strikeouts, and also allowing two runs
Crandall had the big day with the bat driving in two, scoring a run, stealing a base, and producing UCI's only extra-base hit
- UCI's nine hits were scattered effectively by Highlander pitching with Frankie Carney the only two-hit day
- Alonso Reyes also scored a run and reached base three times

The final week of the regular season begins Thursday night in Anteater Ballpark as UCI continues its quest for a postseason spot. The 'Eaters host Cal State Bakersfield with games at 6:00 p.m. on May 14 and 15, and the finale Saturday, May 16, at 1:00 p.m. with UCI's seniors recognized prior to the game