IRVINE, Calif. --- Portland's Ryan Hoogerwerf went 3-for-4 and the Pilots led for most of the game, but the UC Irvine Anteaters scored six unanswered runs to rally for a 6-3 win in a non-conference baseball game played on Saturday afternoon at Anteater Ballpark. Hoogerwerf also drove in a pair of runs and scored another.
Those two RBI's came in the top of the first inning after Beau Brundage and Devin Kopas had both reached base with singles. With two outs, Hoogerwerf sent a hard hit ball through the left side of the infield, scoring both Brundage and Kopas to hand the visitors the early lead.
That lead would grow in the top of the fourth inning. Hoogerwerf led off with a single, moved to second on a bunt single from Chris Arpan, and ended up on third when Dutton Elske laid down a sacrifice bunt. Kevin Wade then stepped to the plate and made it a 3-0 game with a sacrifice fly.
The Anteaters (5-4) got two back in the home half of the fourth inning before surging ahead with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. UC Irvine had five hits during the frame, and Alex Guenette, Mikey Duarte and Adam Alcantara each provided an RBI single.
UC Irvine added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning, and reliever Andre Pallante held the Pilot (1-8) bats silent during the final three innings, while striking out six to pick up the save.
Starter Sean Sparling allowed all three Portland runs on seven hits, and he was replaced on the hill by Ryan Johnston (1-0) after 4.0 innings. Johnston takes the win by pitching 2.0 innings of scoreless relief.
Portland starter Corbin Powers began the game well before running into trouble in the bottom of the fourth inning. His final line included allowing two runs on five hits in 3.2 innings. Tate Budnick (0-2), who tossed the final 4.1 innings, picks up the loss. He surrendered four runs on seven hits, while striking out four.
Kopas finished with two hits for the Pilots, who combined for nine as a team. Evan Cossolato and Duarte both had three hits for UC Irvine.
The Pilots will next look to salvage a win when the two teams conclude the three-game series with the finale tomorrow at 1 p.m.
