April 18, 2014
IRVINE, Calif. - For the second straight night San Diego State and UC Irvine played a low-scoring game as the Aztecs dropped a 3-0 decision to UCI Friday evening at Anteater Ballpark. The win for the home side evened the weekend series at one game apiece as UCI improved to 25-13. With the loss SDSU saw its record fall to 27-12.
UC Irvine took a 2-0 lead with single runs in the third and fourth innings. In the third, Connor Spencer's two-out RBI single scored Kris Paulino from second. In the third an errant thrown by first baseman Steven Pallares to pitcher Bubba Derby covering first allowed Jonathan Munoz to score from second.
In the bottom of the eighth UCI loaded the bases with one out. Pinch hitter Mikey Duarte laid down a one-out bunt that Derby fielded, but was unable to make the throw to the plate as the Anteaters added an insurance run to make it 3-0. The would be the final play of the night for the Aztec hurler as he was lifted for reliever Brandon Thomas, who came on to get a double play to end the inning.
Derby would go 7.1 innings allowing the three runs (two earned) on 10 hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. He would be saddled with the loss to fall to 5-2 on the season.
Anteater starter Elliot Surrey, meanwhile, held the SDSU offense in check over the first seven-plus innings, scattering four hits and a walk over that period. His only moment of concern came in the top of the fifth when the Aztecs put runners at first and second with one out when Danny Sheehan doubled and Ryan Muno was hit by pitch. A bunt by Evan Potter moved the runners up one base, but Surrey then got Greg Allen to pop out to first to end the threat. Surrey would get credit for the win to move his record to 6-2.
UCI closer Sam Moore finished the final 1.1 innings on the mound, allowing just a leadoff single to Tim Zier in the top of the ninth before nailing down the win and recording his nation-leading 16th save of the year.
San Diego State and UC Irvine will play the rubber contest of their three-game series on Saturday, Apr. 19, at 1:00 p.m.at Anteater Ballpark.