IRVINE, Calif. – Parker Brahms allowed just two runs over six strong innings Friday night, but was saddled with the loss as the Hornets were shutout in their series opener at UC Irvine, 2-0.

With the loss, Sacramento State falls to 8-5. UC Irvine improves to 7-6.

Making his fourth start of the year, Brahms (2-1, 1.14) allowed two runs on five hits over six innings. Both runs scored in the third inning on a two-out, two-run base hit off the bat of the Anteaters' Adrian Dalma. 

Outside of the two-hit, two-run third, Brahms allowed just four other baserunners in his six innings of work. He retired the side in order in the fifth inning and struck out the side in the third. In total, Brahms struck out seven. He needed just 89 pitches to get through six innings, throwing 64 of them for strikes. 

For the fourth time in as many starts, Brahms did not walk a batter on Friday against the Anteaters. The senior right-hander has now thrown 23.2 innings this season, striking out 32 without having walked a batter.

Brahms is one of just six pitchers across the country to have not walked a batter and his 32 strikeouts and 23.2 innings are most among the six.

Despite another strong effort from Brahms, UC Irvine's Trenton Denholm (2-2, 2.28) was just a little bit better, shutting out the Hornets for six innings while allowing just four hits. He walked three and struck out five.

Both bullpens were excellent on Friday, as well. For Sacramento State, Brady Rodriguez threw two scoreless frames, allowing two hits and striking out one. Two 'Eaters relievers combined to throw two shutout innings against the Hornets.

Five different Hornets had a base hit on Friday, including leadoff man Keith Torres, who extended his season-long reached-base streak to 13 with a leadoff single to start the game.

This weekend's series continues tomorrow when Sacramento State and UC Irvine face off again at 6 p.m. at Anteater Ballpark. Scott Randall (2-0, 0.95) is slated to start for the Hornets and will face UC Irvine's Peter Van Loon (1-0, 2.70). 

Live audio for the game will stream online at KUCI.org. Live stats are also available online at HornetSports.com.