Irvine, Calif. The University of Nevada(10-12) baseball team lost game three to UC Irvine(15-5-1) at Anteater Ballpark in Irvine, Calif. 7-4 Sunday afternoon. The Anteaters swept the three-game series and are now 15-5-1 on the season while the Wolf Pack dropped to 10-12.
Nevada took the lead for the first time in the series scoring a run in the top of the second inning. Designated hitter Jacob Kaup laced a double to start the inning but was erased on a ground ball to shortstop trying to advance to third base but first baseman Shaun Kort reached base on the play. Walks to right fielder Matt Suleski and second baseman David Ciarlo loaded the bases for shortstop Chris Siewert. Siewert’s ground ball to short scored Kort with the run to put the Wolf Pack in front 1-0.
UCI got the run back in the bottom half of the inning to tie the score at 1-1. First baseman Tony Asaro grounded to third base but the throw from Jason Rodriguez was wide and he advanced to second base. A wild pitch moved him to third base where he scored on a ground out to short by designated hitter Sean Madigan to tie the game.
The Anteaters scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to move in front 4-1. Two of the runs were unearned after the Pack committed their second error of the game and 11th of the series. Center fielder Matt Morris, Madigan, and catcher Aaron Lowenstein drove in runs in the inning.
In the top of the sixth inning the Wolf Pack scored a run to make the score 4-2. Catcher Konrad Schmidt struck out to start the inning but reached first base on a wild pitch and Kaup drew a walk. Pinch hitter Dan Eastham sacrificed both runners into scoring position for right fielder Matt Suleski. Suleski’s sacrifice fly to center field scored Schmidt from third base.
The Anteaters scored a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to increase their lead to three at 5-2. Madigan singled, stole second base, and moved to third base on a ground ball where he scored on third baseman Tyler Vaughn’s sacrifice fly. UCI added two more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to make the score 7-2. One of the runs was unearned after the Pack committed yet another error.
Nevada attempted to rally in the top of the ninth inning but left the bases loaded when Terry Walsh struck out swinging. Cody Fierro and Baker Krukow each drove in runs in the inning which made the final score 7-4.
Pack starter Kyle Howe(1-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs but just one was earned on five hits in four innings on the mound. UCI reliever Dylan Axelrod(1-1) earned his first win of the season after not allowing a hit and just one run, recording nine strikeouts in five innings. Anteater All-American closer Blair Erickson(8) was forced to enter the game after the Pack had loaded bases and recorded the final two outs to earn his eighth save of the season but did allow and RBI single to Krukow.
Rodriguez(2-for-5) was the only Nevada hitter that finished with multiple hits collecting two on the day. Four UCI hitters had two hits each in the game for the Anteaters. Asaro and Madigan tied for game-high honors with two RBI apiece.
Nevada returns home to begin a four-game series with Utah Valley State on Friday at 2:00 p.m. Saturday’s doubleheader gets underway at 1:00 p.m. with the final game on Sunday scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
