UCI swept by Riverside in Big West Conference series

BASEBALL

UC Riverside 3, UC Irvine 2

RIVERSIDE — The host Highlanders broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning to close out the sweep of the three-game Big West Conference series on Saturday.

Sophomore shortstop Chris Rabago went three for four with a run batted in and senior designated hitter Ronnie Shaeffer went three for four to pace the Anteaters’ 11-hit attack.

UCI (16-8, 0-3 in conference), ranked No. 21 by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Assn., has not opened Big West play with three straight losses since starting the 2006 conference season 0-4.

Junior Andrew Morales allowed two runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings, but was not involved in the decision.

Mitch Merten took the loss, allowing two hits and one run in 1 2/3 innings.

Trevor Frank earned his third save of the series for UC Riverside (13-9, 3-0).

UCI visits USC for a nonconference game Tuesday at 6 p.m.

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WOMEN’S WATER POLO

UC Irvine 8, Pacific 5

STOCKTON — The visiting Anteaters forged a 5-0 first-quarter lead and held on in the Big West Conference game Saturday.

Hahhah Croghan had six goals for the winners (15-7, 3-1 in conference).

Jillian Yocum had nine saves for UCI, which plays host to top-ranked USC on Saturday at 1 p.m.