IRVINE, Calif. (Interstat) — UC San Diego built an early lead and never looked back, defeating Cal Poly 12-2 on Saturday at Anteater Ballpark in a Big West matchup.

The Tritons improved to 27-27, while the Mustangs dropped to 35-22.

Cal Poly struck first in the top of the first inning when a single drove in a run, giving the Mustangs a 2-0 edge. UC San Diego answered in the bottom of the second with three runs, including RBIs from Trevian Martinez, Nathaniel Widelski and a sacrifice fly by A. Potestio, taking a 3-2 lead.

The Tritons extended the lead in the fifth on Potestio’s RBI single. Cal Poly’s Spiridonoff hit a solo homer in the seventh to cut the deficit to 5-2, but UC San Diego erupted for four runs in the bottom of the seventh, highlighted by Martinez’s RBI single and a bases-loaded walk to Widelski. The Tritons added three more in the eighth, capped by Alex Leopard’s RBI double.

UC San Diego finished with 11 hits, while Cal Poly managed seven. The Tritons’ pitching held the Mustangs scoreless after the first inning.