IRVINE, Calif. — The UC Irvine bats had an awakening Saturday afternoon, knocking 14 hits in a 9-2 win over BYU at Anteater Ballpark’s Cicerone Field.
BYU starter Adam Miller struggled with his command. He pitched only two innings, allowing three runs on two hits and four walks and a hit batsman.
With plenty of offensive support, starting pitcher Crosby Slaught cruised through six innings, allowing only two hits as the Anteaters got their first series win of the season.
“He really was good,” Irvine coach Mike Gillespie said. “It was the best he’s been this year.”
Irvine got on the board in the first inning against Miller when Jordan Fox ripped a single into right-centerfield on a hit-and-run, scoring Tommy Reyes all the way from first base.
D.J. Crumlich put a pair of runs on the board for the Anteaters the following inning with a two-out, two-run double in the gap. Two innings later, Crumlich came to bat with two out again. He lined another double; this one pounding off the left field wall. Crumlich’s hit started a string of six consecutive two-out hits that gave Irvine a commanding 6-0 lead.
Crumlich and Fox both finished with three hits as nine different Anteaters recorded hits. Seven different Irvine batters drove in at least one run, including the No. 9 hitter, Taylor Sparks. The freshman blasted his first career home run, taking a Marc Oslund pitch over the left field wall.
“We have really, really, really, really been light with the bat,” Gillespie said. “For us to have a day like this, where so many guys take part, is good for everybody.”
Check out the full photo gallery from the UC Irvine/Brigham Young Saturday series finale below:
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