Third-seeded Arizona state defeated No. 2 seed UC Irvine 4-2 in the nightcap of the Los Angeles Regional on Friday,thanks to strong performances from Jacob Tobias and Isaiah Jackson. The game took place in LOS ANGELES.

Jacob Tobias had a home run and two doubles, while Isaiah Jackson contributed a home run and an RBI single for Arizona State.

Arizona State (36-22) will now face top-seed and host UCLA on Saturday. UC Irvine (41-16) is set to play No. 4 seed Fresno State in an elimination game to start the day.

Tobias started the scoring with a leadoff home run in the second inning. Jackson followed with a solo shot later in the inning, giving the Sun Devils a 2-0 advantage against Anteaters starter Trevor Hansen (9-3).UC Irvine responded in the bottom half, tying the game with an RBI double by Alonso Reyes and a run-scoring single by Frankie carney off starter Ben Jacobs (4-3).

The Sun Devils regained the lead in the fourth inning with back-to-back doubles from Tobias and Kien vu. Tobias later doubled and scored an insurance run in the eighth on a single by Jackson.

Ben Jacobs pitched five innings, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks. Jonah giblin provided 2 1/3 scoreless innings, and Cole Carlon closed out the game with the final five outs, earning his fourth save.

Trevor Hansen lasted 6 1/3 innings, surrendering three runs on six hits and three walks. Ricky Ojeda pitched the final 2 2/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits.

“Jacob Tobias had a home run and two doubles, Isaiah Jackson had a home run and RBI single…”

Ancient Context and College world Series

Arizona State has a rich history in the College world Series, having won five titles, with their most recent victory in 1981. They have also been the runner-up five times, most recently in 1998.

UC Irvine has also tasted World Series success, winning the Division II World Series twice in 1973-74.The Anteaters are now aiming for their third College World Series appearance at the Division I level.