The UCI Baseball team (27-13, 10-8) defeated the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (14-25, 5-16), 16-11, at Hardt Field in Bakersfield, Calif. on Friday, April 28. The ‘Eaters entered the game on a two-game winning streak, with victories against Kansas State and San Diego State.
In an interesting change of pace, UCI started redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Tanner Brooks in only his second start of the season.
UCI got off to a blazing start in the top of the first inning, led by junior outfielder Caden Kendle and sophomore infielder/shortstop Dub Gleed. On his 50th hit of the season, Kendle hit a RBI double to right center, bringing junior infielder/third baseman Jo Oyama home for the first lead of the game. Two batters later, Gleed singled to center field, ballooning an early 2-0 advantage for the ‘Eaters.
The Roadrunners responded in the bottom of the first with their own offensive prowess. Senior outfielder/first baseman AJ Miller hit a RBI single to right field to lower the gap. Junior designated hitter/outfielder Jacob Ruley followed up with a sacrifice fly to center field, tying the game at two runs apiece.
The Anteaters continued their early offensive showcase in the second inning with a single RBI from redshirt junior outfielder Luke Spillane, allowing UCI to retake the lead at 3-2.
UCI opened the bottom of the second with a pitching change, bringing usual starter redshirt junior left-handed pitcher Nick Pinto for relief. Unfortunately, CSU Bakersfield chased him off the field with an absolute offensive onslaught across two innings.
Beginning in the second, sophomore catcher/infielder Matthew Kurata hit a two RBI to left field off the wall, taking a 4-3 lead for the Roadrunners. Ruley continued the quick Roadrunner offensive start with a home run to left field, increasing the lead by another point in the third inning. Later in the third, Pinto found himself in a difficult position with the bases loaded.
UCI assistant coach Daniel Bibona made the call to replace Pinto with graduate right-handed pitcher Andre Antone. Pinto left the game responsible for six of the runs scored.
The Roadrunners flexed their early offensive dominance with a two RBI hit to left by former Anteater, graduate second baseman/infielder Riley Kasper. UCI floundered in the third, allowing their fourth walk of the inning and junior shortstop/infielder Nick Salas to secure a run for a commanding 8-3 lead for Bakersfield.
The ‘Eaters continued to struggle through the fourth and fifth innings, finding themselves trailing 9-3 after CSUB junior outfielder Kyler Stancato singled to left center.
UCI showed incredible poise, sparking a six-run sixth inning to tie the game. The rally was highlighted by a double RBI to deep left field from sophomore outfielder/catcher Chase Call that closed the gap to 9-8. With the bases loaded, Spillane was walked at-bat, bringing in Call as the tying run.
UCI maintained their momentum in the seventh inning, reclaiming the lead on a home run by Oyama. Gleed assisted in furthering the gap with a two RBI double to left field, taking a three-point lead.
CSU Bakersfield attempted to make a comeback with a home run shot by sophomore first baseman Kobe Silva to decrease the Anteater lead to 12-10.
Still, the ‘Eaters were determined to close the game out as Kendle hit a statement home run at the top of ninth inning. His teammates followed his lead, showcasing the offensive firepower capability of the Anteater offense. Spillane hit a RBI to right field, pushing the game out of reach at 16-10, heading into the bottom of the ninth.
UCI senior left-handed pitcher Nick Rincover closed the game with a strikeout to reward the Anteaters with a 16-11 win.
Friday’s victory saw the ‘Eaters reach .500 in Big West conference play while also recording a season team high 16 runs on 18 hits. UCI Baseball continued to ramp-up momentum with a series sweep over CSU Bakersfield, securing another 6-1 victory on the same day and a 11-7 victory on April 29.
Big West play has been inconsistent for the Anteaters, but they still have the chance to gain higher seeding before the Big West Tournament.
Donnell Fuller is a Sports Intern for the spring 2023 quarter. He can be reached at ddfuller@uci.edu.