IRVINE, Calif.—UC Irvine wasted no time responding to Fresno State’s run in the top of the fourth, constructing a classic Anteaters four-run rally in the bottom of the frame. Two UCI batters were hit by pitches, and a third was called back to the batter’s box after leaning into a pitch. The Anteaters scored their first run on a bases-loaded walk, then got another on a sacrifice fly before freshman Jordan Fox drove in two with a double to right-center field.

Starting Fox looks like a brilliant gut call by Irvine coach Mike Gillespie. He has made just four starts this season, but he played well in a pair of starts last week, including Friday against UC Santa Barbara, when he collected three hits. Gillespie’s great at riding the hot hand—he’s already done it this year with upstarts D.J. Crumlich and Ronnie Shaeffer.