College Roundup: UCI falls to UCSB

BASEBALL

UC Santa Barbara 7, UC Irvine 6

SANTA BARBARA — Senior closer Race Parmenter let a 6-4 lead get away in the ninth inning as the host Gauchos capped a three-run inning with a two-run, walk-off home run by Joey Epperson to claim the rubber game of the Big West Conference series on Sunday.

UCI (29-15, 11-7 in conference) turned a 3-0 deficit into a 5-3 lead in the top of the seventh inning and, added a run in the ninth.

Connor Spencer was three for five with one run batted in and Ronnie Shaeffer was two for three with an RBI to pace the Anteaters, who received a two-run home run from Scott Gottschling.

UCI starter Andrew Morales allowed four runs on nine hits in six innings and remains 9-0.

The loss leaves UCI tied for third with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The ‘Eaters play host to the Mustangs for a three-game series, beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m.

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WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD

Oxy Invitational

LOS ANGELES — UC Irvine sophomore Itos Aikhionbare won the shot put with a mark of 51 feet, 5 inches, just less than five inches shy of the school record, on Saturday.

Aikhionbare is chasing the record of 51-9 3/4 set by Alisha Misiaita in 2009.

Aikhionbare already has the UCI discus record of 169-5.

UCI competes in the Big West Conference Championships, Friday at Saturday at Cal State Northridge.

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MEN’S TRACK & FIELD

Oxy Invitational

LOS ANGELES — UC Irvine senior Nick Jennings finished second in the pole vault on Saturday, clearing 16 feet, 5 1/2 inches.

UCI’s Stephen Brown was fourth (15-11 3/4).

UCI competes in the Big West Conference Championships, Friday at Saturday at Cal State Northridge.