College Baseball:

MYRTLE BEACH, S. C. — The UC Irvine baseball team is counting on fifth-year senior Kyle Necke to step into the role of primary closer this season, now that two-time All-American reliever Eric Pettis has joined the weekend starting rotation.

Necke, however, failed to finish Friday, allowing five runs in one-third of an inning to squander what had been a 4-2 lead in a 7-4 nonconference loss in 10 innings to designated host North Carolina in the Baseball at the Beach Tournament at BB&T; Coastal Field.

It was the first blown save and first loss of the season for Necke, who has now allowed six earned runs in 1 2/3 innings in 2010, including a save against Loyola Marymount Feb. 20. His earned-run average is 34.40.

UCI (3-1), ranked No. 6 by Baseball America, was primed to pull off the victory, despite managing just two hits the first nine innings.

The Anteaters tallied a pair of unearned runs, while starter Christian Bergman and relievers Matt Summers and Andy Lines held down a Wolfpack offense that had scored 74 runs in its first four games.

Senior second baseman Casey Stevenson extended his hitting streak to 12 games by tripling with two outs in the UCI 10th. He scored on an pinch-hit double by junior Ryan Fisher, who came around to score on another double by sophomore Tommy Reyes.

After Necke induced a leadoff pop-up, N.C. State (5-0) produced a single and a walk. Danny Canela then lined a two-run double inside the right-field line to tie the score.

After an intentional walk, reserve outfielder Russell Wilson, who had not had a hit in four at-bats this season, all off the bench, launched a three-run, walk-off homer to left-center field.

Bergman allowed six hits and two earned runs in six innings. He fanned five and walked two.

Summers worked two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. The sophomore has now worked five scoreless innings this season.

Lines allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth, before giving way to Necke.

Stevenson, who has now reached base in 37 straight games, walked to lead off the third. He later scored from second when Reyes reached on a two-out fielding error.

Reyes walked with one out, advanced on a balk and a groundout, then scored on a wild pitch by NC State starter Cory Mazzoni.

Mazzoni surrendered one hit and two walks while striking out four in seven innings.

Junior designated hitter Brian Hernandez went one for four in his UCI debut and junior right fielder Drew Hillman added a hit for the Anteaters.

UCI meets Coastal Carolina in a doubleheader today, beginning at 9 a.m. Senior All-American Danny Bibona (1-0), who has won eight straight starts and his last 12 decisions, is scheduled to start Game 1.

Baseball at the Beach Tournament

North Carolina State 7, UC Irvine 4

SCORE BY INNINGS

Bergman, Summers (7), Lines (9), Necke (10) and Larson; Mazzoni, King (8), Roque (9), Rice (10), Chamra (10) and Pratt. W –Chamra (2-0). L – Necke (0-1). 2B – Reyes (UCI), Fisher (UCI), Canela (NCS) 2, Dr. Poulk (NCS) 2. 3B – Stevenson (UCI). HR – R. Wilson (NCS).