January 27, 1999
Kailua-Kona, HI - UCLA won both games of a doubleheader against Hawaii-Hilo on Tuesday in Kona, HI, winning 7-2 and 5-0.
Redshirt junior righthander Dan Keller, who missed the 1998 season due to a shoulder injury, started game one of the doubleheader, returning to the mound for the first time since 1997. He allowed just one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two in three innings of work to earn the victory. Freshman righthander Brian Strelitz made his collegiate debut and pitched four impressive innings, allowing just an unearned run on three hits. The first game was a seven inning affair.
Sophomore righthander Jon Brandt came through with a sensational performance in game two of the doubleheader, allowing just one hit and one walk in seven shutout innings. He tied his career high with seven strikeouts. Sophomore lefthander Ryan Carter pitched the final two innings of the game, striking out five while allowing just one hit. Ironically, the last UCLA shutout came against Hawaii-Hilo. That was on April 13, 1998 when the Bruins blanked the Vulcans 16-0.
Redshirt freshman Adam Berry and his rooommate Brian Baron led the Bruins' offensive charge in the first game. Berry and Baron, a junior transfer from Northwestern, collected two hits apiece. Berry collected his first collegiate hits and was 2-3 with a walk. Baron was 2-5. Six other Bruins collected one hit apiece: senior Jack Santora, sophomore Garrett Atkins who drew three walks, sophomore Chase Utley, sophomore Bill Scott, sophomore Matt Pearl and junior Aldo Pinto who made his first appearnce this season with a start at third base. Sophomore Charles Merricks made his first collegiate start, going 0 for 3 with a walk in the DH spot.
Six Bruins collected one hit apiece in game two to lead the way. They were Santora, Baron, Utley, Atkins, senior Jason Green and Pearl who drew two walks. Scott collected two RBI. Redshirt freshman Cody Joyce recorded his first collegiate at-bat in the 9th inning, grounding out to second base. Joyce is the lone active ballplayer on the '99 squad to also play football for the Bruins.
The UCLA bullpen continued its impressive pitching. The bullpen has not allowed an earned run in its last 12 innings. For the season, the bullpen has allowed just two earned runs in 16 innings.
UCLA comes home and plays its next game on Tuesday, February 2 vs. Pepperdine at Jackie Robinson Stadium before kicking off a murderous schedule that begins with the hosting of the second-ranked Georgia Tech Yellowjackets (February 5-7).