But Lowenstein, a fifth-year senior who is still limping from various “doses” absorbed by wayward baseballs smacking him on the leg(s), and who said he may have been knocked out when a Long Beach throw thumped him on the back of his helmet as he slid face first into third base on Friday night, appeared little worse for the wear.
The veteran leader also managed to stay hot with a bat in his hands to help the No. 7-ranked Anteaters (23-6, 5-4 in conference) take the series, two games to one, from their Black-and-Blue rivals.
Lowenstein, who entered the series hitting .175, went two for four with a season-high three runs batted in Sunday to help make things easier for Bibona. He also guided Bibona through a dangerous Long Beach lineup that included Big West home run leader Jason Corder, who pounced on a rare Bibona meatball for a second-inning homer, his ninth of the campaign.
“He knows me better than I know myself,” Bibona said of his catcher, who asked for fastballs first, then off-speed stuff from the typically more finesse-oriented left-hander. The plan worked out well, as Bibona stayed ahead of hitters, who kept heading back to the first-base dugout, perhaps mumbling to themselves.
“I’m sure people in that other dugout were saying ‘How’s that happening?’ ” UCI Coach Mike Gillespie said of Bibona’s mastery, which included five strikeouts and just one walk. “But those who have seen him, know that it does happen. He’s sort of ice water [in his veins] and all those other cliches, right? He was good again today.”
Lowenstein finished five for 11 in the series to raise his average to .224. He said it was great to contribute at the plate, and not just behind it.
