It was the first time in nine Morales starts that UCI failed to win, dating back to the season opening 2-0 setback to visiting Fresno State in 13 innings. It was Morales who exited that one after seven shutout innings, only to see Moore sustain his only other loss.
"To have Morales [who has now allowed just two earned runs in 54 innings at home this season] throw another shutout and we're walking away with a loss …" Gillespie said after barking for more than five minutes at his players down the left-field line.
"We had to win it, 1-0, and it's too bad we had to win it 1-0, because I kind of felt like we shouldn't have had to win it 1-0," Gillespie said. "But we hit a guy and we threw a ball away [to fuel the Aztecs' three-run eighth inning] and here we go. But I am most disappointed by our lack of ability to do something at the plate. That's what kills me."
UCI managed eight hits off of Aztecs' starter Mike Robards, who came in 3-3 with a 4.99 earned-run average. The 'Eaters added a single off of closer Michael Cederoth, who flirted with disaster, before locking down his 14th save of the season by getting the final four outs.
A single and a walk with two outs put the potential tying run aboard in the UCI eighth, but Cederoth struck out pinch-hitter Ryan Cooper to end the threat.
In the UCI ninth, pinch-hitter Evan Cassolato walked and Grant Palmer bounded an infield single to the left of the third baseman to give the UCI rooters something to get excited about. But after a sacrifice put the potential tying run in scoring position, Cederoth, with a fastball that approaches 100 mph, struck out boppers Connor Spencer and Taylor Sparks to end it.
