UC Riverside and Sacramento State began their four-game series Friday night with a bang. The teams got into a bench-clearing brawl during the top of the third inning which led to suspensions for three players.
According to NBC Los Angeles, UCR shortstop Eddie Young was caught in a rundown after trying to advance from second to third on a laser to the Sacramento State shortstop. Young was tagged out by Sac State second baseman Andrew Ayers, the reigning WAC player of the year, who appeared to push him after applying the tag. The two exchanged words, and Young retaliated by slapping Ayers in the face. After Young missed on a second punch, he was wrestled to the ground by Sac State third baseman Will Soto Jr. The benches then cleared.
The Sacramento Bee says Ayers, Young, and UCR catcher Drake Zarate will all be suspended four games. NCAA rules state that players ejected for fighting get suspended four games.
UCR won the game 2-1 and is now 2-3 on the season. Sac State is now 1-3.
H/T Kyle Gunther
