UCI Loses Opener to Arizona, 14-1

Senior third baseman Chip Hale was 2 for 5 with five runs batted in, including a three-run home run, to lead the defending national champion University of Arizona baseball team past UC Irvine, 14-1, in the season opener for both Thursday in Tucson.

Craig Brink started for UCI and took the loss, giving up seven hits and nine runs--five earned--in only 2 innings.

Irvine’s Stacy Parker walked to start the fourth inning and scored on a sacrifice fly by Mike Sugar.

Dean Douty pitches for the Anteaters today against Jason Klonoski in the second game of the three-game series.