March 12, 2013
Irvine, Calif. - UC Irvine rallied from a two-run deficit midway through the contest as it defeated San Diego State, 4-2, Tuesday night at Anteater Ballpark. The loss was the fifth in a row for the Aztecs, who fell to 7-10 on the season while No. 25 UCI improved to 13-4.
The Aztecs took their 2-0 lead with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, a double by Jake Romanski and single by Matt Muñoz were followed by a grounder to short by Tyler France to bring home Romanski.
In the next frame, Greg Allen and Tim Zier had back-to-back singles with one out and they promptly stole a base to put runners at second and third. Allen would later score on a passed ball to give the Aztecs a two-run advantage.
That lead was short-lived, however, as UCI tied the contest with a pair for runs in the bottom of the fifth off SDSU starter Mike Robards. Those runs came on a triple, single, double and sacrifice fly and meant the end of the night for RoBards.
With freshman Tyler Sapp (0-1) on in relief in the sixth, the Anteaters got the go-ahead run on a two-out single to right by Grant Palmer. They added an insurance run in the eighth without the benefit of a hit as Ryan Cooper walked, stole second, advanced to third on a ground out to first and scored on a fielder's choice bunt.
UC Irvine reliever Kyle Hooper would be credited with the win to improve to 1-0. Hooper came on to begin the top of the sixth and retired all 12 Aztecs he faced over the final four innings.
Jake Romanski (single, double) and Greg Allen (two singles) finished the night with two hits apiece for the Aztecs.
San Diego continues its current string of eight straight road contests as it opens its Mountain West season with a three-game series at Fresno State this weekend. The first game between the Aztecs and Bulldogs is set for Friday, March 15, at 6:35 p.m. at Beiden Stadium in Fresno.