Cal Poly defeated UC Irvine 8-6 in the final game of their Big West baseball series on May 3, capitalizing on three ninth-inning errors by the Anteaters at Cicerone Field. The Mustangs’ victory keeps them one game ahead of UC Santa Barbara in the conference standings.
The outcome was significant as it marked head coach Larry Lee’s 1,200th career win across his coaching tenure, including 740 wins at Cal Poly and 460 at Cuesta College. The Mustangs improved to an overall record of 27-19, reaching eight games above .500 for the first time this season. Their Big West record stands at 17-7.
“My message after Friday’s loss was it is just one game,” said Larry Lee. “Learn from what you did and what you didn’t do well. Win on Saturday and your odds are in your favor for Sunday.” Cal Poly rebounded from an opening loss to take both weekend games, claiming its seventh series win out of eight attempts this season.
The Mustangs took an early lead with a three-run home run by Dante Vachini but saw UC Irvine tie the score shortly after. Both teams traded runs through the middle innings before a tense ninth inning saw Cal Poly pull ahead thanks to defensive miscues by UC Irvine’s infield.
Senior closer Nick Bonn earned his first win of the year for Cal Poly, pitching three scoreless innings. Offensively, Vachini and Casey Murray Jr. each collected two hits while Nate Castellon added his fifth home run of the year.
Looking forward, Cal Poly will play Santa Clara next before continuing conference play against Cal State Fullerton.
