IRVINE, Calif. – Washington State brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth but saw its rally turned away, dropping the series-opener at No. 22 UC Irvine 4-1 at Anteater Ballpark Friday evening.
 
The Cougars received two hits including an RBI-double from Kyle Manzardo but WSU stranded six runners while the Anteaters (13-4) used a three-run double in the third and a dominant performance from 2018 All-American starter Andre Pallante who posted seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and struck out five. Manzardo's fifth-inning single extended his hitting streak to a team-best eight games.
 
In the third inning, UCI took advantage of some free passes, loading the bases with a pair of walks and a long single that Collin Montez nearly made a diving catch on. White struck out one batter but the follow batter pulled a three-run triple into the right field corner for a 3-0 lead.
 
In the fifth, the Cougars saw Kyle Manzardo rocket a one-out single into left-centerfield but was thrown out trying to stretch it to a double. Rob Teel followed with a walk and Tyson Guerrero lined a single the other way into left field to put runners on first and second but UC Irvine starter Pallante ended the threat with in inning-ending ground ball fielder's choice.
 
In the seventh, UCI made it 4-0 with a one-out single back up the middle.
 
In the ninth, Manzardo doubled home Andres Alvarez with a shot that short-hopped the right field wall to put runners on second and third with one out. UCI went to the bullpen and ended the rally with a shallow flyout to right and a ground out to short, preserving the 4-1 win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Kyle Manzardo singled in the 5^th to extend his hitting streak to a WSU-best 8 games
Tyson Guerrero singled in the 5^th to extend his on-base streak to 6 games
Danny Sinatro walked in the 6^th to extend his on-base streak to 17 games
Brandon White started, worked 2.1 innings, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 K
Ky Bush worked in relief, 3 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 5 K
Dillon Plew went 0-for-4, ending his 22-game on-base streak dating back to last season
Collin Montez singled in the 9^th to extend his hitting streak to 5 games and on-base streak to 16
 
NEXT UP
The series continues Saturday at 6 p.m.