Anteaters stir, 8-4

The UC Irvine baseball team snapped a six-game losing losing streak

with an 8-4 win over the University of San Diego Saturday.

Torero starter Kyle Wilson ran into trouble in the top of the

fourth, allowing four consecutive singles, including a two-run hit by

Matt Fisher to start the Anteater scoring. After giving up an RBI

single to Gary Dudrey, Wilson gave way to reliever Justin Blaine, who

struck out Mark Wagner to end the inning.

The score was knotted in the top of the seventh when UCI gambled

on a shallow fly to right and took a 4-3 lead. UCI’s Gregg Wallis,

who was on second base, tried to beat the relay and was called safe

when catcher Zach Dobek failed to hold onto the ball at home. Fisher

was credited with his third RBI.

UCI reliever Paul French entered the game in the bottom of the

seventh and had help from UCI’s defense. Fisher gave a great

defensive effort, diving to his left and robbing leadoff hitter Perez

of a single. French struck out four in two innings and allowed a run.

The Anteaters extended their lead in the eighth. Designated hitter

Andy Amara stole second and came around to score when Wallis beat out

a slow grounder to Quinto. UCI’s Jordan Szabo hit a 3-1 offering up

the middle to bring in Wallis who had stolen second.

Wagner had a two-run double in the ninth to round out the scoring

for the Anteaters.

Starter Brett Smith earned his second win of the season (2-1)

after going six innings and striking out five while allowing three

runs on seven hits.

*--*

UCI 8, U. San Diego 4

Score by Innings

UCI 000 300 122 -- 8 11 0

U.SD 001 020 001 -- 4 8 3

Smith, French (7), Nicoll (9) and

Werhun; Wilson, Blaine (4), Coy (7),

Jones (9) and Hansen, Dobek. W -- Smith,

2-1. L -- Blaine, 0-3. 2B -- Wagner

(UCI), Wallis (UCI), Perez (SD)

*--*