Anteaters trounced

SAN LUIS OBISPO — UC Irvine senior Christian Bergman failed to put post a third straight strong start and the Anteaters relievers fared little better as host Cal Poly San Luis Obispo posted a 15-7 win Saturday to even the Big West Conference series at one game apiece.

UCI (28-16, 9-5 in conference) led, 2-0 and 4-1, before it had to rally to pull even at 6-6 with two runs in the fifth.

But Cal Poly (14-28, 6-11) scored two in the fifth, then broke it open with six in the seventh to make today’s 2 p.m. series finale a rubber game.

Bergman, who had allowed five hits and two earned runs in 17 1/3 innings in two straight impressive victories, allowed nine hits and six runs, all earned, in 3 1/3 Saturday.

Freshman Evan Brock gave up three runs in three innings and Freshman Ruben Orosco was charged with three runs without recording an out for the Anteaters. Freshmen Andy Lines and Kyle Hooper also allowed runs in relief for UCI.

It’s the most runs UCI has allowed in a game this season, the most since it tied Loyola Marymount, 15-15, on Feb. 11, 2007. That’s a span of 255 games.

UCI junior third baseman Brian Hernandez went three for four with one run batted in to pace the ‘Eaters’ nine-hit attack.

Senior first baseman Jeff Cusick went one for four with an RBI and sophomore designated hitter Ronnie Shaeffer drove in two runs for UCI, which remains in second place in the Big West, behind front-running Cal State Fullerton.

Second baseman Denver Chavez went four for five with two RBIs to lead five Mustangs who recorded multiple hits. Cal Poly totaled 16 hits.

Brock earned the loss. He falls to 3-4.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

State championships NEWPORT BEACH — The Orange Coast College women’s doubles team of Kim Ho and Melissa Boyer was defeated, 6-1, 6-1, by Reedley’s Yumi Justin and Amy Busch in the semifinals Saturday at The Tennis Club.