SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Senior right-hander Ethan Lay tossed five strong innings and struck out eight in his first start of the season, but visiting UC Irvine erupted for five runs in the seventh to break open a scoreless game and cruise to a 5-0 victory over Sacramento State in the 2026 season opener for both teams on Friday night at John Smith Field.
It was the first meeting between the two future Big West Conference rivals since the COVID-shortened 2020 season when the Anteaters took 2-of-3 from the Hornets in Orange County.
Lay took the no-decision, allowing just two hits and six baserunners on the night, stranding all six on base — four of those in scoring position. His strikeout total was his highest since setting down eight via the "K" at Utah Valley in a six inning victory on May 10 of last season.
The right-hander struck out two in each of the first two innings, then ended the third and fourth innings with strikeouts to strand runners in scoring position.
Meanwhile, UCI starter Trevor Hansen (1-0) and Ryder Brooks combined on a one-hit shutout en route to the victory. Hansen allowed the one hit — a double to left-center by Jakob Poturnak in the fourth — and walked a pair against 11 strikeouts over the first six innings while Brooks picked up the three-inning save, walking one and striking out five.
All of the Anteaters' damage was done in the seventh against the Hornet bullpen as a one-out hit batter led to a two-run home run by Landon Gaz for the 2-0 lead. UC Irvine tacked on two more on a bases-loaded double and a walk two batters later drove home another run for the final tally.
Jackson Halverson and Chase Sorlie then calmed things down, combining to pitch the final 2.1 innings, allowing just one walk and striking out a batter apiece. Andrew Monson (0-1) suffered the loss for the Hornets, charged with four runs on three hits in 1.1 innings.
Game two of the series is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 14) as newcomer Kurt Marton is scheduled to make his Sacramento State debut against UC Irvine left-hander Ricky Ojeda.
