IRVINE, Calif. - The Gonzaga University baseball team concluded its three-game series with the UC Irvine Anteaters Monday after a 3-1 defeat at Cicerone Field.
UC Irvine (12-3) swept the series against Gonzaga (3-11).
Both starting pitchers put forth a tremendous effort. Right-hander Andrew Sopko took the loss but he did everything to keep the Bulldogs in the game. The sophomore worked 7.0 innings allowing six hits and two runs.
Evan Brock was the winning pitcher of record after 7.0 innings allowing one run. UC Irvine has won 10 games in a row.
Brock retired the first seven Gonzaga batters on the night before the Zags recorded three consecutive hits in the third inning. With two outs, Taylor Jones singled to right field followed by a Payden Cawley Lamb base hit up the middle before Beau Bozett's RBI knock to left field.
The Anteaters nearly tied the game in the bottom of the frame but Sam Brown robbed a Grant Paulino RBI extra base hit in center field to protect the lead.
UC Irvine did tie the game 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning on a RBI single from Connor Spencer.
Sopko found himself in a jam in the bottom of the fifth inning. With the bases loaded, Sopko walked Taylor Spencer to give UC Irvine a 2-1 lead. The sophomore escaped the situation by inducing an inning ending double play off cleanup hitter Spencer.
Gonzaga threatened in the top half of the eighth inning. Taylor Jones led off the at bat with a single to third base. Nelson Benjamin replaced Jones on the base path and advanced to second on a Lamb sacrifice bunt. Anteater reliever Jimmy Litchfield then got Beau Bozett to pop up for the second out of the inning.
Next GU batter Mitchell Gunsolus walked to put runners on first and second base. UC Irvine went to the bullpen and brought in NCAA saves leader Sam Moore to face Bulldog cleanup hitter Cory LeBrun. Unfortunately Moore won the battle by getting LeBrun to fly out to center field.
UC Irvine added an insurance run on a bases loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth. Sean-Luke Brija replaced Sopko and was responsible for the run on two hits and a Gonzaga error.
The Bulldogs continue its five-games in five days with a pair of midweek games in California. GU will travel to UC Riverside for a 3 p.m. contest Tuesday, followed by a 6 p.m. game at CSU Bakersfield Wednesday.
