UCLA Opens Four-Game Roadtrip With a Visit to CSUF
The Bruins pounded the Trojans, 10-1, on Sunday to finish undefeated in this year's Southern California College Baseball Classic
After an excellent five-game homestand, the UCLA Bruins head out on the road starting tonight with a game at Cal State Fullerton. On Sunday, the Bruins wrapped up the Southern California College Baseball Classic with a 10-1 win over crosstown rival Southern Cal. The first pitch for tonight’s game against the Titans is scheduled for 5 pm PT.
Last Time Out
On Sunday, the Bruins hosted the Trojans in a non-conference game that wrapped up the weekend’s event and UCLA’s bats remained hot. How hot? Well, they raised their team batting average by another seven points to .256.
UCLA got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the third. Kyle Karros got the rally started with a one-out single to left center and Kevin Kendall followed with a single to center. That brought Pat Caulfield to the plate and he doubled down the left field line, scoring both Karros and Kendall.
While that would be enough to win the game, the Bruins added three insurance runs in the fourth. Mikey Perez led off the inning with a single to left and, then, he swiped second. Karros reached on an error to give UCLA runners on first and second with still just one out. Kendall moved the runners up on a groundout to second and that set the table for Caulfield, who brought them both in on a single to left center. This inning, he would also score when Matt McLain singled to center, giving the Bruins a 5-0 lead over the Trojans and they weren’t done yet.
UCLA added a five-spot in the eighth to double their lead. Jack Filby got the rally started with a walk. After Karros reached on another error by Trojan shortstop Tyresse Turner, Kendall hit a RBI single to center, scoring Filby. Unfortunately, Pat Caulfied struck out this time, but McLain drew a walk to load the bases. That sent Southern Cal head coach Jason Gill to the pen, but it didn’t help. Bruin designated hitter JT Schwartz tripled to clear the bases before scoring himself when Michael Curialle reached on the third error of the game by Turner.
Jake Saum, who took over for Bruin starter “Nasty Nick” Nastrini, allowed the Trojans’ only run of the game with two outs in the ninth before striking out pinch hitter Trevor Halsema to wrap things up.
Nastrini threw 5-1/3 one-hit innings while allowing three walks and striking out nine for his second win of the season while Saum picked up his first save of the year.
Cal State Fullerton
After hosting the Titans twice last week, the Bruins will visit Fullerton tonight. In the two games they played, UCLA scored 20 runs while allowing just two. Personally, I think that the Titans will play better tonight just because they’ll be playing at home.
Cal State Fullerton is turning to a freshman right hander who is making his debut tonight as head coach Rick Vanderhook looks to find someone who can shutdown the Bruin bats. Tonight will be Wyatt Johnson’s first collegiate appearance, much less his first start.
That said, I’m confident of a another Bruin win, though it will likely be closer than last Tuesday. I think UCLA wins tonight by a 6-2 score.
#6 UCLA Baseball (8-3)
Opponent: Cal State Fullerton Titans (4-6)
Game Time: 5:00 pm PT, Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Where: Goodwin Field, Fullerton, CA
Projected Pitching Matchup:
UCLA - Sean Mullen, RHP, Jr. (2-0, 0.56 ERA)
CSUF - Wyatt Johnson, RHP, Fr.
Media:
Live TV/Audio: uclabruins.com with Tim Wilhelm
Live Stream: BigWest.org
Live Stats: FullertonTitans.com
This is your UCLA at Cal State Fullerton mid-week game open thread.
Go Bruins!
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