LA JOLLA, Calif.—UC San Diego baseball will play host to No. 12 UC Irvine for a weekend series beginning Friday at 6 p.m. The Tritons (21-10, 8-4 Big West) will face off with the Big West-leading Anteaters (24-5, 10-2 Big West) in the Blue and Gold Rivalry Series all weekend in Triton Ballpark.
 
The series will continue Saturday at 2 p.m. and wrap up on Sunday at 1 p.m. The first 250 fans on Friday will receive a UC San Diego koozie. The games will be broadcast on ESPN+ with live statistics available via UCSDTritons.com.
 
DETAILS
Games 32-34
UC San Diego (21-10, 8-4) vs No. 12 UC Irvine (24-5, 10-2)
Friday at 6 p.m. | Saturday at 2 p.m. | Sunday at 1 p.m.
Triton Ballpark (500) | La Jolla, Calif.
All-time series: 3-9 (3-7 in D-I)
Last season: UC Irvine took the series, 2-1
Game 1 on ESPN+ | Game 2 on ESPN+ | Game 3 on ESPN+ | Live Stats
 
SATURDAY TRAFFIC AND PARKING IMPACTED
Saturday is Triton Day on UC San Diego's campus with up to 15,000 visitors expected for the annual open house event. Attendees for Saturday's game should expect traffic and parking impacts. Parking will be free for all campus visitors.
 
UP NEXT
UC San Diego will travel next week for a three-game series at Cal State Bakersfield beginning Friday at 6 p.m. The games will be broadcast on ESPN+ with live statistics available via UCSDTritons.com.
 

ABOUT THE TRITONS	ABOUT UC IRVINE
Roster | Schedule | Stats	Roster | Schedule | Stats
Overall: 21-10	Overall: 24-5
Big West: 8-4	Big West: 10-2
Home: 18-5	Home: 13-3
Away: 3-5	Away: 8-2
Neutral: 0-0	Neutral: 3-0
vs. Ranked Opponents: 0-0	vs. Ranked Opponents: 2-1
Streak: L2	Streak: L1

LAST TIME OUT
UC San Diego swept took two of three games in the weekend series at Long Beach State, taking the Friday opener, 5-1, before dropping Saturday's contest, 10-1. The Tritons took the Sunday finale, 6-3, to earn their third Big West series victory. For his performance, Brock Kleszcz earned his first Big West Field Player of the Week honor and was named UCU Athlete of the Week.
 
Earlier this week, the Tritons dropped a pair of midweek matchups to USD, 7-1, and San Diego State, 18-8, on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.
 
Weekend Top Performers
Doyle Kane: 2-for-5 (.400), 1 r, 1 rbi, .400 slg%, 1 bb, .500 ob%
Noah Sudyka: 3-for-9 (.333), 1 r, 2 rbi, .333 slg%, 2 bb, .455 ob%, 2-4 sb-att
Brock Kleszcz: 3-for-11 (.273), 3 r, 6 rbi, 1 2b, 2 hr, .909 slg%, 1 bb, .333 ob%
 
Izaak Martinez: 0.00 era, 2 app, 1 sv, 4.2 ip, 3 h, 0 r, 1 bb, 4 so, .188 b/avg
Anthony Eyanson: 1.42 era, 1-0, 1 gs, 6.1 ip, 1 h, 1 r, 3 bb, 8 so, .050 b/avg
Matthew Dalquist: 3.86 era, 1-0, 1 gs, 7.0 ip, 4 h, 3 r, 2 bb, 7 so, .167 b/avg
 
KLESZCZ NAMED BIG WEST FIELD PLAYER OF THE WEEK (APR. 8)
Outfielder Brock Kleszcz was named Big West Field Player of the Week as well as UCU Athlete of the Week for his performance in a 3-2 week for the Tritons. It is the first conference weekly honor for the senior. Kleszcz finished the week 5-for-13 (.385) with eight RBI and four runs scored in four games for UC San Diego. The senior recorded a 1.000 slugging percentage and .429 on base percentage with a pair of two-run home runs and two doubles to lead the Tritons offensively at Long Beach State. 
 
The Valencia, Calif. native started the week with a 2-for-2 performance including a double, two RBI and a run scored to secure the series sweep against UC Riverside on Monday. In Friday's 5-1 victory in the opener at LBSU, Kleszcz recorded a career-high four RBI. He accounted for four of the Tritons five runs by way of two two-run homers and finished the night 2-for-3. In the Sunday finale, Kleszcz added another double, two RBI and a run scored to help UC San Diego earn the series victory.
 
MARTINEZ AMONG NATION'S BEST
Reliever Izaak Martinez ranks among the top pitchers in the nation, leading the NCAA in earned run average (0.49), WHIP (0.59) and hits allowed in nine innings (3.65). The lefthander also ranks fifth nationally in saves (7). Martinez leads the Tritons in appearances (15) and is third in innings pitched (37.0), with a .123 opponent batting average which ranks first in the Big West.
 
TRITONS TOUGH OUT OF THE 'PEN
UC San Diego currently ranks second in the Big West with a 3.92 team earned run average—which ranks 15th in the NCAA. Izaak Martinez holds the top spot in six different statistical categories, including earned run average (0.49), opposing batting average (.123), saves (7), runs allowed (3), earned runs allowed (2), hits allowed (15). He ranks third in batters struck out looking (15), walks allowed (7) and doubles allowed (4).
 
Three Tritons rank among the top 10 in ERA, with Martinez in first (0.49), Anthony Eyanson in fifth (2.72) and Matthew Dalquist in 10th (3.15). The trio also ranks among the top 15 in opponent batting average (1-Martinez, .123; 6-Eyanson, .214, 11-Dalquist, .236) and are in the top 10 in runs allowed (1-Martinez, 3; 2-Eyanson, 12; 8-Dalquist, 14) and top 15 in hits allowed (1-Martinez, 15; 7-Eyanson, 30; 12-Dalquist, 35).
 
Eyanson leads the Tritons, ranking fourth in the Big West in strikeouts (52), while Martinez ranks 11th (42), Dalquist ranks 12th (41) and Ryan Forcucci ranks 17th (37). Martinez ranks first with 15 batters struck out looking and Dalquist is just behind him in fifth with (13) and Forcucci in seventh with 12. 
 
UC San Diego currently ranks sixth nationally in walks allowed per nine innings (2.96), seventh in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.15), 11th in WHIP (1.24), 15th in earned run average (3.92), and 27th in hits allowed per nine innings (8.16). 
 
TRITONS AT THE PLATE
Nick Costello ranks 11th in on base percentage (.469), third in home runs (6), first in walks (28), third in hit by pitch (11), sixth in stolen bases (9) and ninth in runs scored (28). 
 
Michael Crossland ranks second in stolen bases (10), seventh in hit by pitch (10), 10th in runs scored (28), 11th in doubles (8) and 16th in hits (35).
 
DOWN TO THE WIRE
The Tritons have outscored their opponents 209-135 this season, including outscoring opponents 30-16 in the third, 36-20 in the fifth and 36-14 in the eighth inning. Five of UC San Diego's 10 losses this season have been by one run, with four in extra innings. The Tritons are 5-5 in one-run ballgames and 4-1 in two-run contests.
 
COMEBACK KIDS
UC San Diego recorded its largest comeback victory of the Division I era this season, defeating San Jose State 12-11 on Feb. 18 after falling behind early to the Spartans, 11-0. The Tritons also erased a six-run deficit to defeat Cal State Fullerton, 10-9, on Mar. 16.
 
MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICANS
Izaak Martinez was named to D1Baseball's Midseason All-America First Team, one of eight pitchers on the list, one of only two relievers and one of three scholar-athletes from mid-major conferences. At the time of publication, Martinez led the nation with a 0.56 earned run average over 32.1 innings of work out of the bullpen. The lefthander allowed three runs (two earned), 12 hits and six walks and his 0.56 WHIP (walks and hits per innings) which also ranked first the NCAA. He collected 38 strikeouts which ranked second on the team and 12th in the conference. Opponents batting average was .113 against him which ranked first in the Big West and he also led the NCAA in hits allowed per nine innings (3.34). Martinez topped the Big West with six saves with a 2-1 record in 13 appearances. 
 
Martinez and Ryan Forcucci were also tabbed on Perfect Game's Midseason All-America list, both earning third team honors. At the time of publication, Forcucci had a 2.16 ERA in 25.0 innings of work, collecting 37 strikeouts while allowing just six walks and 14 hits. The junior right-hander had a 0.80 WHIP in five starts with a 2-1 record, allowing nine runs (six earned) and holding opponents to a .159 batting average. In D1Baseball's midseason MLB Draft prospect rankings, Forcucci moved up to 28th overall out of the top 100 college prospects in the NCAA.
 
NEWMAN REACHES TWO MILESTONES IN 2024
Head coach Eric Newman enters his 13th season at the helm of the Triton baseball program in 2024 and recorded his 400th victory at UC San Diego on Mar. 3 against Stephen F. Austin. He recorded his 500th career victory on Mar. 16 against Cal State Fullerton. Newman currently holds a 409-249 (.620) record at UC San Diego and a 504-321 (.609) all-time career record after coaching three seasons at Dallas Baptist (2005-2007). 
 
FORCUCCI SETS DIVISION I RECORD
Junior right-hander Ryan Forcucci set the program's Division I single game record with 11 strikeouts in his season debut against San Jose State on Feb. 16. The San Marcos, Calif. native pitched a perfect game through 4.0 innings, facing just one batter over the minimum in his 5.0 innings of shutout baseball. Of his 64 pitches, 48 were thrown for strikes and he finished the night with 11 strikeouts, one hit, no walks and no runs. For his efforts, Forcucci was named Big West Pitcher of the Week—the first conference weekly honor of his career—as well as UCU Athlete of the Week.
 
FORCUCCI, HALBACH AMONG TOP PROSPECTS
Junior right-hander Ryan Forcucci is among the top draft prospects in the nation, ranking No. 46 on D1Baseball's preseason list of the top 200 college prospects and No. 55 in the MLB's similar rankings. In D1Baseball's midseason update (Apr. 3), Forcucci moved up to 28th. In 2023, Forcucci led the team with 68 strikeouts which ranked 12th in the Big West. Forcucci made 14 appearances and nine starts, holding opponents to a .206 batting average which was third among all Big West pitchers. He pitched 53.2 innings for the Tritons and finished the season with a 3.86 earned run average which ranked 12th.
 
Third baseman Matt Halbach has also drawn attention from MLB scouts, ranking 124th on D1Baseball's top 200 prospects list during the preseason. In D1Baseball's midseason update (Apr. 3), Halbach moved up to 87th. Halbach finished his sophomore season with a .306 batting average, good enough for third on the team and tallied 63 total hits which ranked 14th in the Big West. Halbach started 51 of the Tritons' 52 games—the most on the team—and recorded 15 doubles and five home runs, while leading the conference with five triples. His 41 runs scored tied for 16th in the conference and his .500 slugging percentage ranked 19th in the Big West.
 
EXPERIENCED ROSTER
The Tritons return 26 scholar-athletes from their 2023 roster, including six starting position players and two starting pitchers from the Big West championship team that finished 21-9 in conference play last season. UC San Diego's 2024 roster includes 2023 All-Big West first team members Matt Halbach and Izaak Martinez, second team honoree Ryan Forcucci and honorable mention Patrick Hackworth.
 
FRESH FACES
UC San Diego will add 13 newcomers to its roster for the 2024 season, including 10 true freshmen and three junior college/college transfers. The Triton additions include five pitchers and eight position players. 
 
TRIO OF TRITONS LAND ON PRESEASON COACHES' TEAM
Ryan Forcucci, Matt Halbach and Izaak Martinez were all named to the 2024 All-Big West Preseason Coaches' Team. Halbach and Martinez were All-Big West first team honorees last spring, while Forcucci earned a spot on second team in 2023. The Tritons were one of three teams with three players on the preseason team, including UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine.

TRITONS PICKED 3RD IN PRESEASON POLL
UC San Diego was picked to finish third in the Big West Preseason Coaches Poll with 78 total points. UC Santa Barbara was picked to finish first with 99 points and nine of the first-place votes, while UC Irvine received the other two first-place votes and 89 points to rank second.
 
Just behind the Tritons in fourth place was Hawai'i (70 points), followed by CSUN (65), Cal State Fullerton (59), Cal Poly (46), Long Beach State (42), UC Davis (25), Cal State Bakersfield (21) and UC Riverside (11).
 
NEWMAN LEADING THE WAY
Head coach Eric Newman enters his 13th season at the helm of the Triton baseball program, compiling a 396-243 (.620) record at UC San Diego and earning 2023 Big West Coach of the Year. Newman has also been named ABCA/Diamond West Region Coach of the Year three times (2017, 2018, 2019) during his tenure in La Jolla.
 
HOME SWEET HOME
The Tritons will play 18 of their first 20 games inside Triton Ballpark. UC San Diego will open the season against San Jose State (Feb. 16-18) and remain home for its weekend series through the first week of conference play against Cal State Fullerton (Mar. 15-17). The Tritons two road trips during that span will be to USC on Feb. 20 and across town to San Diego State on Mar. 6.
 
ON THE MOVE
After 20 seasons playing as an NCAA Division II team, the entire athletics program is in its final year of a four-year transition to NCAA Division I, culminating in full DI status as a member of the Big West Conference for the 2024-25 academic year. At that time, all sports will be eligible for conference and NCAA postseason play.

A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
While at the Division II level, UC San Diego baseball experienced great success for 20 years as a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The Tritons amassed six regular season titles in arguably the toughest conference nationally in the NCAA Division II. UC San Diego made five appearances in the NCAA D-II World Series, and most recently appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2019. 
 
During his nine seasons coaching the Tritons at Division II, Eric Newman was named ABCA/Diamond West Region Coach of the Year for three consecutive seasons (2017-2019) and also twice recognized as CCAA Coach of the Year (2012, 2019).

WHY THE TRITONS
The Triton is described as the offspring of Poseidon and Amphitrite, a demigod of the sea with a lower part of the body like that of a fish. It is known as a mighty and fierce sea warrior. Given UC San Diego's close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and its connections with the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Triton became our mascot in 1964.

GET SOCIAL WITH UC SAN DIEGO BASEBALL
Keep up with the Tritons all season long on social media through Twitter and Instagram. The team's handle is @ucsdbsb.
 
FOR THE YOUNGER CROWD
Got some young Triton fans in your family? If they are eighth grade or under, check out the Junior Triton Club. Membership includes a free t-shirt, admission to over 100 UC San Diego home athletic events, and much more!

GEAR
For the latest Triton apparel and accessories, click here.
 
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of The Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.