UC Irvine's baseball team squanders opportunities in a regional loss during the NCAA tournament
In the crucial bottom of the fifth inning of their NCAA regional game against Arizona State, UC Irvine's Jacob McCombs executed a flawless bunt, positioning runners in scoring position with just one out. Coach Ben Orloff, a testament to Mike Gillespie's vision, called for the strategic move, as McCombs had not attempted a bunt all season.
"McCombs has zero sacrifice bunts on the season," Orloff commented. "Executing there, left on left... puts pressure on the other team. You can score a run with an out in that situation where you're down 3-2."
The pressure was palpable as Arizona State lefty Ben Jacobs, a former UCLA Bruin, toes the mound at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Facing the brunt of Irvine's offensive push, Jacobs managed to strike out Chase Call and force Blake Penso into a weak flyout to right field, wrapping up a commanding 105-pitch performance.
Despite McCombs' bunting success, UC Irvine's offense struggled to capitalize, leaving five hits and only two runs on the board. Trevor Hansen, the team's ace, gave it his all, setting the Anteaters' fate on his broad shoulders. Although he surrendered solo home runs to Jacob Tobias and Isaiah Jackson in the second inning, Hansen regained his composure, limiting Arizona State to six hits and three earned runs across 6 and 1/3 innings. Hansen recorded eight strikeouts and issued two walks.
Looking to escape the seventh inning with the bases loaded, Hansen handed the ball off to Big West Pitcher of the Year Ricky Ojeda. Ojeda proved equal to the task, inducing a groundout and a strikeout, allowing Irvine to hang onto a close 4-2 defeat.
The lefty pitched through the ninth, giving up just one run on 40 pitches overall. This outing, however, could impact Ojeda's availability for Saturday's showdown with Fresno State, as he reaches back into his reserves from the previous year's pitches against UC San Diego.
Coach Orloff will rely on redshirt sophomore right-hander Riley Kelly in the face of adversity. Although Kelly has yet to pitch beyond the fifth inning in his last four appearances, he sports a 4-1 record and a 3.92 ERA.
As the Anteaters shift focus to their next challenge, they know they must win out if they hope to advance to the NCAA super regionals. UC Irvine moves to the losers bracket to face fourth-seeded Fresno State at noon Saturday.
- UCLA's Ben Jacobs, now playing with Arizona State, faced the Anteaters' offensive push in Jackie Robinson Stadium, demonstrating resilience with a commanding 105-pitch performance.
- In the heart of California's baseball scene, UC Irvine, like the Los Angeles Rams in sports, are now in a crucial battle, needing to win out to advance to the NCAA super regionals.
- UCLA's notable alumni extend beyond sports, with Mike Gillespie, Orloff's inspiration, being a renowned baseball coach, just as the University of Southern California (USC) is known for its wide array of achievements across various fields.
- The MLB, the pinnacle of professional baseball, may one day see UC Irvine's Riley Kelly, the redshirt sophomore right-hander, if he continues to excel, much like Irvine's Jacob McCombs, who executed a crucial bunt in their recent game.
- Despite the recent drought, with UC Irvine's baseball team struggling to capitalize on offensive opportunities, their spirit remains undeterred, much like the resilient California landscape, which continues to flourish despite periods of dryness.
