LA JOLLA, Calif. — UC San Diego baseball fell to UC Irvine, 9-7, in the final game of the weekend series on Sunday afternoon in Triton Ballpark. The Tritons (18-21, 14-7 Big West) knocked three home runs and held a one run advantage in the ninth before the Anteaters (18-23, 9-12 Big West) scored four runs in the ninth to secure the victory.
 
Gabe Camacho contributed two hits and two runs, including a home run, while J.C. Allen also recorded two hits, with an RBI and a run. Alex Leopard hit a two-run home run and Michael Crossland also knocked a solo home run. Six different Tritons recorded an RBI in the contest.
 
Nic Gregson started on the mound for the Tritons, throwing 5.1 innings and allowing four runs on 10 hits while striking out three batters. Jake Villar followed with 2.1 innings of relief, surrendering one unearned run without giving up a hit. Julian Cazares pitched one inning, during which he gave up three earned runs on four hits and recorded one strikeout. Quincey Brown closed the game, pitching 1/3 of an inning and allowing one earned run on one hit, while striking out one batter.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tritons began the game with a strong first inning. After Anthony Potestio was hit by a pitch, Thomas Maher came in as a pinch runner. Camacho singled to right center, and an error allowed Maher to reach third before Allen singled to bring him home. Trevian Martinez followed with another single, scoring Camacho and giving the Tritons a 2-0 lead after one inning.
 
The Anteaters responded in the third inning with an RBI single, cutting the Tritons' lead to 2-1 through three innings. In the fourth inning, UCI took the lead with a two-RBI double, followed by a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2 in favor of the visitors.
 
The Tritons regained the lead in the sixth inning when Camacho hit a solo home run, followed by Leopard's two-run homer. Ryson Ujimori grounded out to drive in another run, putting the Tritons ahead 6-4.
 
The Anteaters added a run in the eighth inning with an RBI single, closing the gap to 6-5 through eight innings.
 
In the ninth inning, UCI surged ahead. Following an RBI single to tie the game, an RBI double put the Anteaters in front, 7-6. A ball that bounced off the wall in right center resulted in an inside-the-park home run, bringing in two additional runs to make it 9-6.
 
After a pinch-hit leadoff single by Addison Klepsch in the bottom of the ninth, a double play stalled the Tritons' rally. Crossland hit a two-out home run, but UCI held on for a 9-7 victory.
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• Gabe Camacho recorded his 13th home run (382 ft) of the season and second of the series, while Alex Leopard (381 ft) knocked his fifth of the year and Michael Crossland (366 ft) hit his tenth.
• The Tritons recorded 10 hits and left five runners on base, while UC Irvine recorded 15 hits and left nine runners on base.
• The Tritons used five pitchers in the contest, including Nic Gregson, Jake Villar, Julian Cazares and Quincey Brown.
• UC San Diego is now 9-12 in the all-time series (9-10 in D-I) with UC Irvine and 2-1 this season.

 
UP NEXT
UC San Diego will host Loyola Marymount for a midweek matchup on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live stats will be available via UCSDTritons.com.
 
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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 in NCAA Division I. The 24-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 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 39 have earned 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 90 percent, the highest rate among institutions in NCAA Division I or II.