Friday, February 19, 1999
UCSB teaches Bruins errors of their ways
BASEBALL: UCLA suffers from inconsistent play, can’t overcome
Gauchos during ninth inning
By Rocky Salmon
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
UCLA has made an undefeatable foe: the midweek game.
Overall during the season, the Bruin baseball team has had
trouble in midweek games, losing the past three and barely
squeaking by the University of San Diego two weeks ago.
Pepperdine and UC Santa Barbara both made a killing off UCLA’s
pitching and errors, which have blistered the Bruins in those
midweek games.
Against the Gauchos alone, the Bruins committed six errors in
two games, which lead to seven unearned runs.
Wednesday was no different for the Bruins when UCSB once again
defeated them, 7-6, with UCLA blowing a shot to win it in the top
of the ninth inning.
Starting for UCLA (6-9) was Jon Brandt, who was Louisville
Slugger National Player of the Week for striking out 17 batters in
his last appearance. Even more impressive is that only four outs
that he got were not through strike outs.
Against the Gauchos he was still impressive, but he could not
fight through the bottom of the fourth inning. The inning started
off on a bad note for Brandt as Chase Utley booted a grounder from
the Gaucho’s Chad Peshke.
After a ground out, Brandt walked two batters, creating trouble
for himself. The next batter, Ryan Baderian, would smack a double
clearing the bases and then score on a single giving, UCSB a 4-2
lead with all of their runs being unearned.
Entering the top of the ninth UCLA trailed by two runs. Charles
Merricks began the inning with his first collegiate hit, a lazer to
centerfield. After Michael Hymes hit into a fielder’s choice, he
stole second. Jack Santora would drive Hymes in with a single to
center.
Brian Baron would follow with a single, making it first and
second with one out and Garrett Atkins approaching the plate.
Atkins was having another multi-hit game but luck was not on his
side.
Atkins drilled a shot to the second baseman who made a great
play scooping the ball off of the ground and making it an easy
double play, getting the leaning Santora out at second base.
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