UCLA Baseball Takes Series with 2-0 Win Over Oregon State; Seeks Sweep Today
Yesterday's contest was a bona fide pitcher's duel, with both teams combining for only nine hits.
After its wild comeback win on Friday night, the UCLA baseball team (25-13, 12-8 Pac-12) beat Oregon State (28-14, 10-7) again yesterday in a more traditional way, playing small ball, getting good pitching, and playing solid defense. That combination resulted in the Bruins earning a 2-0 victory and the series win.
UCLA will try for the series sweep over the Beavers today at Jackie Robinson Stadium. First pitch is at 12 Noon PT and the game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks. Fans can also watch on Pac-12.com and the Pac-12 Now app.
Last Time Out
Yesterday evening, the Bruins earned the series win over the Beavers with a 2-0 victory. Although OSU outhit the Bruins five to four, the Bruins made two of their hits count, leading to two runs, both of which were scored by UCLA shortstop Matt McLain.
After neither team was able to plate a run through three and a half innings, UCLA took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. McLain led off the inning with a line drive double over the head of the Beavers’ left fielder. He then stole third base and scored on a wild pitch.
The game remained a tight 1-0 contest until the bottom of the eighth inning, when UCLA doubled its lead. This time, McLain drew a full-count walk to lead off the inning. After JT Schwartz struck out, McLain stole second. Noah Cardenas flew out to center field, but McLain could not tag up and advance to third.
It didn’t matter because, with two outs, senior Kyle Cuellar went the other way and hit a clutch single through the left side of the infield. The speedy McLain easily beat the throw to the plate, putting the Bruins up 2-0.
After an Oregon State lead-off single to start the ninth inning, UCLA closer Max Rajcic, who got the win on Friday night, retired the next three Beavers, earning his third save of the season.
UCLA starting pitcher Sean Mullen (8-1, 2.45 ERA) had a nice outing, throwing 5-1/3 innings and allowing only three hits. Mullen struck out five but also walked five. It was the last two walks, which were back-to-back in the sixth inning, that led to Mullen’s removal from the game.
The bullpen trio of Adrian Chaidez. Daniel Colwell, and Michael Townsend also pitched well, combining to throw 2-1/3 innings, allowing only one base runner in the form of a two-out single in the eighth inning off of Townsend.
Today, Head Coach John Savage will send junior right hander Jesse Bergin (4-2, 4.29 ERA) to the mound to lead the Bruins. Jake Pfennigs (2-0, 3.20 ERA) will take the hill for Oregon State.
UCLA Baseball (25-13, 12-8)
Opponent: Oregon State Beavers (28-14, 10-7)
Game Time: 12:00 pm PT, Sunday, May 2, 2021
Where: Jackie Robinson Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Live TV: Pac-12 Networks National, Los Angeles and Oregon
Live Audio: uclabruins.com
Live Stream: Pac-12.com and the Pac-12 Now app
Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast
Probable Pitchers:
UCLA - Jesse Bergin, RHP, Jr. (4-2, 4.29 ERA)
OSU - Jake Pfennigs, RHP, So. (2-0, 3.20 ERA)
Weekend Notes:
This is your UCLA baseball vs. Oregon State game three open thread.
Go Bruins!!!
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Kyle Karros shrinks the lead back to one with a solo dinger to left in the B5. 4-3 Beavers.
T3. Fuchs with a solo home run for the Beavers. 4-2 OSU.