April 10, 2009

Box Score

IRVINE, Calif. --- Fifth-ranked UC Irvine won its third Big West Conference series, defeating Long Beach State, 6-3, Friday at Anteater Ballpark. The win lifted the Anteaters to 21-9 overall and 7-1 in the Big West while the Dirtbags fell to 14-16 overall and 2-3 in league play.

UC Irvine scored twice in the first on an RBI hit from Francis Larson and a fielder's choice by DJ Crumlich.

Outfielder Jordan Casas singled to right-center to plate Tre Dennis in the top of the third to cut the Anteater lead to 2-1 but UCI answered in the fifth as Jeff Cusick doubled down the left-field line to score Tommy Reyes, who led off the inning with a walk.

The Anteaters widened the lead to 5-1 on a pair of run-scoring doubles from Cory Olson and Reyes.

The Dirtbags struck in the top of the seventh with two runs but would get no closer.

UCI starter Christian Bergman improved to 5-1, pitching six innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits while striking out two. In the seventh, the Anteaters turned to Noel Avison, who tossed 1.2 hitless innings before handing the ball off to Brock Bardeen, who secured the final out in the eighth. Closer Eric Pettis pitched a perfect ninth to earn his conference-leading ninth save.

Crumlich and Olson each registered two hits and an RBI to lead UCI while Cusick, Casey Stevenson and Reyes each drove in a run in the win.

LBSU starter Jake Thompson pitched six innings, giving up five runs on eight hits and striking out one to fall to 2-5.