Feb. 24, 2006
IRVINE, Calif. - A fine pitching performance from Justin Masterson went for naught as San Diego State was unable to take advantage of several scoring opportunities and fell to UC Irvine, 4-2, Friday evening at Anteater Ballpark. With the win, UCI improved to 7-5 while the Aztecs saw a short two-game win streak end while falling to 4-8.
Brock Ungricht and Paul Smyth accounted for six of San Diego State's nine hits with three apiece. Ungricht also scored once and had the team's lone RBI. All nine Aztecs hits on the night were singles.
UCI got on the board first with a single run in the second. Josh Tavelli singled up the middle with two out, stole second and advanced to third on a balk by Masterson (1-2). He then came home on Gary Dudrey's triple down the right field line.
The Anteaters extended their lead to 3-0 with a pair of runs in the next inning on a RBI double by Matt Morris and a sacrifice fly from Zach Robinson.
San Diego State got one back in the top of the fourth, loading the bases with no outs on back-to-back singles by Brock Ungricht and Paul Smyth plus an error by UCI pitcher Justin Cassel on Jordan Swaydan's sacrifice bunt attempt. A potential big rally was cut short when Tim O'Brien hit into a double play, but Ungricht scored to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Cassel, who had struggled in his first three outings this season, went seven innings to record his first victory. Along the way he allowed two runs (one earned) while striking out four.
SDSU put runners on first and second with one out in the sixth, but another double play ended that opportunity.
After the Anteaters added a run in the seventh, SDSU had its best chance to get back into the contest in the top of the eighth. Nick Romero opened the frame with a single that was followed by a walk to Quintin Berry. After a strikeout, Ungricht singled home Romero and sent Berry to third while advancing to second himself on an error by the left fielder.
However, Ungricht and Berry were left stranded as UCI reliever Dylan Axelrod got Smyth to pop up to the catcher before striking out Swaydan to retire the side
The Anteaters brought on relief ace Scott Erickson in the ninth, and he struck out the side to record his fourth save of the season.
San Diego State and UC Irvine continue their three-game weekend series Saturday evening (Feb. 25) with another contest at Anteater Ballpark at 6:00 p.m. The series then shifts to Tony Gwynn Stadium for Sunday's game at 1:00 p.m.
UC Irvine 4, San Diego State 2SDS 000 100 010 - 2 9 1UCI 012 000 10x - 4 9 2Masterson and SwaydanCassel, Axelrod (8), Erickson (9) and LowensteinW - Cassel (1-2)L - Masterson (1-2)Sv - Erickson (4)HR - NoneAtt. - 618Time - 2:23