Alvarez Fights Off Tough Start to Improve to 4-0 March 14, 2002 RIVERSIDE, CA-- The No. 25-ranked 49ers (11-6) ran their streak of Big West opening day wins to 10 in a row, as The Beach defeated UC Riverside 4-2 in the conference opener for both ballclubs. Abe Alvarez (5-0) last through 7.0 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits. After giving up two runs over the first two innings, while walking three batters, Alvarez settled down, scattering four hits over the final five innings. Carlos Muniz held the Highlanders at bay in the eighth, giving up one hit, while striking another. Josh Alliston picked up the final out, relieving Neil Jamison who entered in the ninth, for his second save. Kevin Randel and Paul McAnulty each had two hits for LBSU. Chris Smith (4-3) took the loss, tossing 8.1 innnings, giving up four runs on 10 hits. Smith struck out six and walked just two. Tim Faulkner had three hits for UCR. The Highlanders twice took one-run leads off of botched double steals. Both times, The Beach was able to get the runner moving from first to second, but unable to get the runner going home in both the first and second innings. Both times, the 49ers tied the game. The Beach took a 4-2 lead in the sixth off of two unearned runs. A botched throw off of a sacrifice bunt put runners on first and second with no outs. After another sacrifice, a passed ball allowed the go-ahead run to score. An RBI single by Jeremy Reed gave LBSU a 4-2 lead. The Beach will play two more games in this series, on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. LBSU returns home Tuesday and Wednesday when they host Wichita State at 6:05 p.m. each night early next week. BOX SCORE | 
