SAN ANTONIO — UC Irvine swept a Saturday doubleheader from UTSA by scores of 10-5 and 9-3 on Saturday at Roadrunner Field.
In game one, the Anteaters (5-9) utilized two big innings with a six-run fourth and a three-run sixth. UTSA (8-7) held a 4-1 lead through the first three innings before UC Irvine’s offensive explosion.
The Roadrunners were held scoreless through the following five innings, but they managed to squeeze a run through in the bottom of the ninth.
Nolan Trabanino (0-3) was charged with the loss after allowing seven runs on nine hits in his four innings of work.
Matt Esparza (2-1) got the win despite giving up four runs on eight hits in 6.2 frames. He walked two and struck out five.
Tyler Straub and Geonte Jackson each registered two hits and an RBI, while Straub scored twice.
In the rubber match, the Roadrunners struggled once again, as they allowed runs in each of the first three innings, which put the visiting team up, 5-2.
Straub scored his third run of the day in the opening frame to even the score at one run apiece. The shortstop came around after reaching second on a double down the left-field line. A Jackson RBI single advanced Straub to home.
In the third, UTSA cut into UC Irvine’s lead with a lone run. After Kevin Markham began the inning with a lead-off double, he then scored on Straub's run-scoring single.
The Roadrunners added another run in the fifth when John Bormann made his way to second on a one-out double and then crossed the plate on C.J. Pickering's base hit.
However, the Anteaters tacked on three more runs in the top sixth and another in the eighth to put the game out of reach.
Cody Brannon (1-1) allowed three runs on three hits and walked two in just one-plus inning of work.
Shaun Vetrovec (1-1) earned his first win of the year with 3.1 scoreless innings in relief. The freshman allowed only two two hits.
Straub once again led the team with a 3-for-5 performance with two doubles.
UTSA will conclude its four-game home stand on Tuesday, March 10, against Houston Baptist (7-8). First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.