University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA
North Carolina
School Record Seven Homers Not Enough For Bruins
February 18, 2000 | Baseball
Feb. 18, 2000
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Despite hitting a school record seven home runs, the No. 2 UCLA baseball team squandered a nine run lead as No. 9 North Carolina posted 13 runs in the top of the ninth inning enroute to a 17-13 victory at Jackie Robinson Stadium Friday evening.
The Bruins lose their second straight game as their overall record falls to 6-3. The Tar Heels remain undefeated, improving to 7-0. UNC reliever B.J. Finnerty picked up the win, while Bruin closer Chad Cislak endured his second loss of the season.
UCLA's seven home runs proved also to be one short of the Pac-10 Conference record of eight set by Washington State vs. Whitworth in 1987 and California vs. Arizona State in 1986.
Following a two-run homer by UNC left fielder Tyler Godwin in the top of the first, UCLA junior second baseman Chase Utley drilled the first pitch by Tar Heel starter Ryan Snare over the left field fence for his third lead-off home run of the season.
In the bottom of the second, UCLA unleashed its power as junior catcher Forrest Johnson, sophomore designated hitter Adam Berry and junior right fielder Nick Lyon hit back-to-back-to-back home runs to highlight a five-run inning. The home run derby continued in the fourth when junior third baseman Garrett Atkins hit a two-run shot over the right field fence.
The Bruins looked to have sealed the victory when Utley and Atkins each hit back-to-back home runs, in the seventh inning. UCLA led 13-4 going into the top of the ninth with junior left-hander Ryan Carter on the mound. Carter entered the game in the seventh in relief of UCLA starter Jon Brandt who was on track to get the win. Brandt allowed four runs, three earned, off six hits and struck out three through six innings.
Carter faced five batters in the ninth without recording one out, giving up two singles, a walk and a three-run homer by first baseman Ryan Earey and a two-run shot by third baseman Sean Farrell as North Carolina cut the lead to 13-9. Junior right hander Tyler Dersom came in to relieve Carter, only to hit right fielder Matt McCay and walk second baseman Chris Maples.
The Bruins then called upon closer Chad Cislak, who entered the game in a save situation, as the Tar Heels had the tying run on deck. Cislak walked the first batter he faced, left fielder Jay Madeira to load the bases and then struck out catcher Dan Moylan for the first out of the inning.
The Tar Heels then closed in on the Bruins when Cislak walked one and hit three batters to force in the tying runs. With the game knotted at 13-13 and the bases still loaded, Farrell doubled in two more runs to give the Tar Heels their first lead of the game since the first inning. UNC then added another pair to complete the 13-run rally.
Utley and Atkins led the Bruins with the bat, as Utley was 4-for-5 with four runs scored and two RBI. Atkins was 3-for-4 with four runs and three RBI. UNC's Farrell ended the night going 3-for-4 with two runs and five RBI, while Earey was 3-for-4 with three runs and four RBI.
The three-game series continues tomorrow with a 1 p.m. start time at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Sophomore starter Josh Karp will look to turn things around for UCLA as he takes the mound against UNC's Eric Henderson.
