College baseball: UC Irvine stays alive with 19-9 victory over Kent State
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UC Irvine didn’t wallow in the aftermath of its opening-game defeat in the NCAA baseball regionals.
The Anteaters rebounded from their 11-inning loss to defending national champion Louisiana State by routing Kent State, 19-9, in an elimination game at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Irvine, which scored in every inning, will play Sunday against the loser of tonight’s game between UCLA and LSU.
Irvine (38-20) was leading, 15-1, when it pulled starter Christian Bergman, who gave up one unearned run and five hits in five innings. Bergman (9-3) had not given up a run in his last 27 2/3 innings.
Kent State (39-25) scored eight runs in the sixth with the help of three-run homers by Ben Klafczynski and Kyle McMillen.
Casey Stevenson had five of the Anteaters’ 21 hits and Jeff Cusick drove in five runs for Irvine. Jordan Leyland and Francis Larson homered for the Anteaters.
More later at latimes.com/sports.
-- Gary Klein