IRVINE, Calif. --- The Portland Pilots got a pair of runners on and brought the potential go-ahead run to the plate in the top of the ninth inning, but the UC Irvine Anteaters escaped the jam to claim a 3-1 win to open a three-game series on Friday night at Anteater Ballpark.
 
With one out and the Pilots (1-7) trailing by two in the final frame, Justin Thaxton drew a walk. Devin Kopas followed with a single, and just like that the Pilots were threatening to tie the game. But UC Irvine (4-4) closer Calvin Faucher came through with consecutive strike outs to seal the win.
 
Both teams received solid starts from their pitchers, with Portland freshman Grady Miller (0-3) tossing 5.0 innings. He yielded only two runs on six hits, while fanning five. Reliever Camden Muller was charged with the third UC Irvine run, while Kevin Baker struck out three in 1.1 scoreless innings.
 
The Anteaters' Louis Raymond (2-1) last 6.0 innings, allowing the one Portland run on five hits. He struck out four and walked one. Jordan Bocko struck out five of six hitters he faced in 2.0 innings of relief, and Faucher entered the game to begin the top of the ninth.
 
UC Irvine scored the game's first run in the bottom of the first inning, but Portland evened the score with a tally in the fourth. Ryan Hoogerwerf reached on a two-base error, moved to third on a ground out, and trotted home with the game-tying run, courtesy a sacrifice fly from Thaxton.
 
The Anteaters then reclaimed the lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning before adding some insurance in the sixth. The go-ahead run came on a sacrifice fly, while their final run came on a sacrifice bunt.
 
The two teams next play game two tomorrow, with first pitch slated for 2 p.m.