IRVINE, Calif. — Jack Costello launched his sixth home run of 2022 and Ivran Romero and Jack Hyde turned in quality outings out of the bullpen, but San Diego baseball (26-16, 13-8 WCC) dropped a tough midweek decision on Tuesday night, falling to UC Irvine (25-17, 10-8 Big West) by a 6-1 margin at Anteater Ballpark.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• UCI struck first in the bottom half of the opening frame, jumping out to a 2-0 lead via a sacrifice fly and an RBI triple.
• The Anteaters added on in the fourth with an RBI double, an RBI groundout, and a bases-loaded walk, then rounded out their scoring in the fifth with another sacrifice fly to take a 6-0 advantage.
• Costello, a sophomore utility player, got San Diego on the board in the top of the seventh with a towering solo shot to left field but USD would get no closer, dropping a 6-1 decision at UC Irvine.

TORERO TIDBITS

• Romero, a sophomore righty who attended nearby Poway High School, turned in 1.2 scoreless frames out of the bullpen after entering with runners on second and third in the bottom of the second.
• The San Diego, California native successfully stranded both runners with a strikeout and a groundout, ultimately fanning three total UC Irvine batters against a single walk.
• Jack Hyde, also a local sophomore righty (Grossmont High School), turned in USD's longest and most dominant pitching outing of the evening after entering in the sixth, finishing the game with three scoreless frames that saw him strike out three batters and walk none.
• Sophomore center fielder Dustin Allen was 1-for-3 with his team-best 13th stolen base of the season.

UP NEXT
The Toreros will continue their road stint this weekend as they resume West Coast Coast Conference play with a three-game set at Pacific. First pitch on Friday at Klein Family Field is set for 6 p.m.