UCI rallies, wins

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Juniors Eric Deragisch and Francis Larson each drove in runs with hits in the two-run ninth and both finished with two RBIs apiece to help the UC Irvine baseball team earn a 5-3 Friday in the first of a three-game nonconference series against New Mexico at Isotopes Park.

The ninth-inning rally allowed UCI starting pitcher Scott Gorgen to pick up the win and improve to 8-2. Gorgen worked eight innings, allowing six hits, walking one and striking out four. One of the three runs he allowed was unearned. Gorgen who won his second straight start, lowered his earned-run average to 2.19.

Casey Stevenson opened the UCI ninth with a pinch-hit single and advanced to third on a single by junior center fielder Ollie Linton. Deragisch followed with an RBI single to right field and Larson doubled to right to plate Linton, who finished four for five to pace the Anteaters’ 15-hit attack.

No. 16-ranked UCI (26-10) committed three errors, two on consecutive bunts in the first inning to help the Lobos score two runs and erase the Anteaters’ lead.

UCI junior shortstop Ben Orloff doubled in a run, went to third on an error, and scored on a Larson groundout to give the Anteaters a 2-0 first-inning lead.

After New Mexico (27-17) scored in the fifth, UCI rallied with two outs in the seventh. Junior center fielder Ollie Linton sparked the rally with a single to left and advanced to second on a balk. Deragisch followed with an RBI single up the middle to get the visitors, and Gorgen, even.

Deragisch, who played third base, was three for four.

UC Irvine sophomore designated hitter Tony Asaro was two for three for the visitors, for whom Orloff was two for five.

Sophomore Eric Pettis pitched a perfect ninth to record his 10th save for UCI.

The win helps the Anteaters bounce back from a 9-7 loss at Kansas State in 11 innings Wednesday.

They are now 2-1 in the current five-game road trip.

The series continues today at 1 p.m. and is scheduled to conclude Sunday at noon.

— From staff reports

Nonconference

UC Irvine 5, New Mexico 3

SCORE BY INNINGS

Gorgen, Pettis and Lownestein, Larson (9); Lafromboise, Clinton (9) and Neda. W – Gorgen, 8-2. L – Cox, 2-1. Sv – Pettis (10). 2B – Larson (UCI), Orloff (UCI), Gracey (NM)