University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Bruins Dominate Sun Devils in 9-3 Win
June 21, 1999 | Softball
April 17, 1999
WESTWOOD, Calif. - The UCLA Bruins dominated the Arizona State Sun Devils in nearly all facets of the game en route to a 9-3 victory on a perfect day for baseball at Jackie Robinson Stadium Saturday afternoon. The win was UCLA's fifth in the last six games. UCLA freshman rhp Josh Karp (5-3, 5.20) turned in another terrific outing as he carried a four-hit shut-out into the top of the ninth against the nation's number one scoring lineup. With one away in the ninth, Karp gave way to sophomore right-hander Paul Diaz who shut down the Sun Devils (32-14, 8-6), preserving his predecessor's fifth victory. Karp also struck out a career-high 10 Sun Devils, including eight of nine starters at least once.
UCLA sophomore lf Bill Scott put the game away for good with a three-run shot to center in the bottom of the sixth, giving the Bruins (20-23, 4-7) a commanding 8-0 lead. Scott continued his assault on opposing pitchers, going 3-for-5 with his team-high 15th homer of the year, two doubles, and four RBI, giving him a team-high 60 on the year. Scott's homer was the third of five consecutive hits (four singles and a homer) off Sun Devil starter Chuck Crumpton (one hit) and reliever Ian Perio in the sixth. The Bruins handed Crumpton only his second loss of the year versus six wins. The Bruins had six consecutive hits to lead off the top of the ninth in their 13-10 comeback win at Cal, 4/3.
The Bruins did all of their scoring in innings three through seven, knocking in one, two, two, three, and one, respectively. Sophomore 2b Chase Utley's RBI double in the third that scored sophomore cf Charles Merricks started the offensive onslaught against Arizona State. Utley continued his hot streak by going 3-for-5, extending his season-high hitting streak to nine games. Sophomore 1b Garrett Atkins also extended his season-high hitting streak to nine games with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.
UCLA's 1-4 hitters (Santora, Utley, Scott, Atkins) each had at least two hits and paced the offense by going a combined 10-for-17 (.588) with five runs and six RBI. In addition, eight of ten Bruins making a plate appearance recorded at least one hit. Santora, who was 2-for-4 on the afternoon, has hit safely in 11 out of the last 12 games.
Josh Karp's 8.1 innings pitched tied the staff's season-high. Karp went 8.1 IP in UCLA's 6-1 victory at Arizona (March 13), and sophomore rhp Jon Brandt went a career-high 8.1 IP at Washington on March 27.
The Bruins will go for the series sweep tomorrow at 1pm at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Junior rhp Dan Keller is expected start on the mound for the Bruins against ASU rhp Chad Pennington or lhp Jon Switzer. The game will air live on the internet through www.uclabruins.com. Chris Roberts and Jeff Blank will have the call.
