University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA
Wichita St
Baseball Falls to Wichita State in NCAA Regional
June 21, 1999 | Baseball
May 29, 1999
WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State advanced in the winner's bracket as the Shockers defeated the UCLA Bruins, 4-2, in a pitching dominated contest. With the win, the Shockers move to the regional championship round tomorrow and will face the winner of the Oklahoma State/UCLA elimination game tonight at 7 p.m.
Wichita State starting pitcher Brandon Sloan (10-3) picked up the win for the Shockers, going six 2/3 inning, allowing two runs on 10 hits with 4 strikeouts, while Bruin starter Jon Brandt (8-4) got the loss, despite going the distance and allowing only four runs on 10 hits while fanning seven. Shocker closer Marc Bluma picked up his 17th save of the season after he pitched a scoreless ninth inning, retiring three of the four batters he faced.
Leftfielder Brian Schoenhofer (1-for 4) got the Shockers on the board in the second when he drove in right fielder Tim Hayes with an RBI single off UCLA starter Jon Brandt.
Ahead 1-0, WSU added three more runs in the third as third baseman Koyie Hill sparked the rally with a single. Aft er first baseman Pat Magness singled and designated hitter Brad Wright walked, Hayes delivered a two-run single to put the Shockers up 3-0. WSU tacked on another run when Wright scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of centerfielder Justin McCarty, putting the Shockers ahead by a 4-0 margin.
UCLA fought back in the fourth, cutting the WSU advantage to 4-2. After Sloan put designated hitter Eric Reese on base with a leadoff walk, catcher Jason Green (2-for-3, run) singled, setting up an RBI double by right fielder Brian Baron (2-for-4, RBI) After Sloan walked third baseman Nick Lyon to load the bases, centerfielder Charles Merricks scored Green on a fielder's choice to pull the Bruins to within two runs.
With two runners on base and the Bruins threatening in the fifth, shortstop Kevin Hooper helped WSU's cause by triggering a clutch double play. First baseman Garrett Atkins (2-for-4) lined a shot at a divng Hooper, who doubled up second baseman Chase Utley (2-for-5), which proved to be key as Reese chopped a single to center that would've scored Utley. Sloan then proceeded to get Green to fly out for the third out as the Shockers escaped the inning unscathed.
In the seventh, the Bruins again threatened. With the two runners on and two out, Sloan walked Green to load the bases, and WSU head coach Gene Stephenson elected to bring in Greg Drumright to pitch to Baron, and the moved proved to be successful as Baron struck out, leaving three runners stranded.
NOTES
* Jon Brandt's (UCLA) complete game marked the longest outing of any Bruin
pitcher this season
* Brandon Sloan's (WSU) 10 wins are a Shocker team high
UCLA Head Coach Gary Adams:
"It was a great ball game. We failed on the base paths a few times and
that hurt us offensively."
"Wichita State's pitchers pitched well, but I'm also extremely proud of our pitcher, Jon Brandt; he pitched a great game as well."
"With this team, we never give up. Making up two runs is nothing. You have to tip your hat to (Marc) Bluma, (Brandon) Sloan and (Greg) Drumright, who came in with the bases loaded and struck out (Brian) Baron."
UCLA pitcher Jon Brandt:
"Being out there in from of 6,000 people, your adreneline gets going. I
was overthrowing my fastball in the first few innings, which is not part of
my game, and I got out of my element."
"We had a shot at it, but they just beat us. They played well."
Wichita State Head Coach Gene Stephenson:
"We all got to see a great game. (Jon) Brandt pitched extremely well, we
pitched awfully well. I'm happy for our guys and proud of their
performance."
"I think we beat a great ball club out there today, and I have to take my hat off to Brandt."
Wichita State pitcher Brandon Sloan:
"I feel that we have a lot of confidence in our bullpen. Greg Drumright
did a great job coming in, and Marc Bluma did a good job and finished out
the game."
Wichita State outfielder Tim Hayes:
"Fortunately, I was able to find some hole and allowed some runners to
score, but I'd say the pitchers won this game. We put up a few runs, and
they did the rest."
