May 1, 2009

Box Score

IRVINE, Calif. --- Junior Daniel Bibona held Cal State Northridge to a run on four hits to lead top-ranked UC Irvine to a 7-1 win over the Matadors Friday at Anteater Ballpark. With the win, the Anteaters climbed to 12-1 in Big West play (32-11 overall) while CSUN dropped to 18-27 (4-12 Big West) overall.

Bibona struck out six and walked one in the outing to improve to 8-1. Junior Kyle Necke faced the minimum in the ninth to end the game.

The Anteaters jumped on the board in the third, scoring a run on a sacrifice by Francis Larson and an error by the Matadors.

UCI took a 5-0 lead in the fourth as Dillon Bell belted a two-run double to score Tommy Reyes and Ryan Fisher. Eric Deragisch drew a four-pitch walk and advanced to third before stealing home to cap the three-run inning.

Jeff Cusick doubled in a run in the sixth and Larson hit a bloop single to center to plate Cusick.

The Matadors got on the board in the sixth, singling twice and scoring a run on a fielder's choice with one out. However, Cusick robbed Richard Cates of a hit on the next play with a stellar defensive effort at first and turned it into an inning-ending double play.

Larson and Bell led the team with two RBI apiece while Deragisch went 2 for 3 with three runs scored. Fisher belted two doubles (2-for-2) to lead the Anteaters, who matched a season-best with five doubles on the night.

Matador starter Ryan Juarez left after 2.2 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on one hits while walking four to fall to 4-5.

The series continues Saturday at 1:00 p.m.