A Night of Fireworks at Anteater Ballpark
On May 23, 2026, the Mustangs of Cal Poly traveled to Irvine to face the Anteaters of UC San Diego in a non‑conference baseball showdown that drew a lively crowd under the evening lights.
The final scoreboard read 12‑7 in favor of Cal Poly, a result that hinged on a burst of offensive production in the middle innings and a solid outing from starter Austin Bowker.
Gavin Spiridonoff ignited the offense with a solo home run in the fifth, while RBIs from Anthony Potestio and Gabe Camacho added crucial runs, pushing the lead to a comfortable margin.
Relief efforts from the Cal Poly bullpen kept the Anteaters at bay, but a late rally by UC San Diego narrowed the gap before the final out.
Pitching Duels and Late‑Inning Heroics
Austin Bowker earned the win after throwing six innings with five strikeouts, while Josh Volmerding took the loss for the visitors, surrendering three earned runs in his six frames.
The game’s tempo shifted after the seventh inning, when Cal Poly’s offense added three more runs, capitalizing on a series of walks and a timely single by Nick Costello.
Despite the 11‑hit effort from UC San Diego, the Mustangs’ defense turned two double plays, preserving the lead and sealing the victory.
The win improves Cal Poly’s record to 15‑5 on the season, while UC San Diego falls to 12‑8, setting up a potential rematch later in the year.
Fans left the ballpark buzzing about the team’s depth and the emergence of younger players like Kayden Henson and Nathaniel Widelski, who contributed key defensive plays.
The image above captures Josh Volmerding in action, a reminder of the competitive spirit that defined the night.
With conference play looming, both squads will look to fine‑tune their strategies, but the Mustangs appear to have the early edge after this exciting contest.