UCLA
Delaware
Baseball Rallies Past Delaware, 13-12, In First Game Of NCAA Regional
May 26, 2000 | Baseball
May 26, 2000
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Top-seeded UCLA scored in all but two innings Friday afternoon but needed a three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning to overcome pesky Delaware 13-12, in the opening game of the NCAA Baseball Regionals at the Southwestern Bell Bricktown Ball Park in Oklahoma City.
The Bruins, co-champions of the Pac-10, were held scoreless only in the second and eighth innings. The Blue Hens, representing the America East Conference, put together their runs in bunches, plating six in the third, a single run in the fifth and five more in the sixth, taking a lead they didn't relinquish until UCLA rallied to win the ninth.
Lefthander Bobby Roe, (7-5) UCLA's third pitcher, hurled the final four innings for the victory, surrendering a single run on four hits. Vic Sage, (4-3), who cut short an eighth-inning UCLA rally, was saddled with the loss.
"The baseball gods were with UCLA today and that was the biggest factor in our win," UCLA Head Coach Gary Adams commented. "Two sun balls were their undoing. They say good teams take advantage of mistakes and opportunities."
"I know you are never supposed to feel sorry for the other guy, but Bob (Hannah) has been around for so long and this is his last year. I'm happy for the win, and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but for Bob to lose a game like that is not good."
"We have had really good outfield play throughout the year, but we obviously didn't today," Hannah said. "UCLA just had too many bats for us. I don't think they played up to their potential, by their expectations."
"Our kids gave a good effort, but we had a few holes in our game, which led to us losing," he added.
Chase Utley started UCLA's ninth-inning uprising with a double down the left field line. After Garrett Atkins lined out, Bill Scott lofted a towering fly ball to shallow center. Casey Fahy lost the ball in the afternoon sun and it fell in for a two-base hit, scoring Utley. Forrest Johnson then ripped a double to the left field corner, knotting the count at 12.
Adam Berry, pinch hitting for Josh Canales, was intentionally walked, and, after Charles Merricks blooped a single to center to load the bases, Randall Shelley singled to left center to plate Johnson with the winning run.
Rob Henkel, UCLA's starting pitcher, lasted only five innings, giving up seven earned runs on nine hits and four walks and striking out nine. Right hander Kevin Jerkens faced two batters during Delaware's five-run sixth before Roe took over.
Rich McGuire went five and a third innings for the Blue Hens, giving up nine runs, eight of them earned, on 11 hits and four walks. He struck out three. Jason Vincent pitched two effective innings between McGuire and Sage, surrendering a single run on four hits.
UCLA's 20-hit attack included three home runs, by Utley, Johnson and Atkins, who hit for the cycle, while Delaware first baseman Steve Harden gave the Blue Hens their first lead with a two-run shot into the left-center field bullpen during Delaware's six-run third inning. Atkins had five rbi for the Bruins and Johnson added three. Catcher John Schneider knocked in three runs for Delaware.
Game Notes
Delaware
? The 12 runs tie for the second most ever scored by the Blue Hens in NCAA postseason play.
UCLA
? Garrett Atkins is the second Bruin to hit for the cycle this season. Eric Reese also hit for the cycle on Opening Day at Hawaii, Feb. 3 of this season.
? Atkins also extended his season-high hitting streak to 20 games.
? Atkins becomes the first UCLA player to be a three-time All-American. Atkins was one of four Bruins named All-Americans by Collegiate Baseball today: Bill Scott (first-team), Forrest Johnson (second-team), Garrett Atkins (third-team) and Chase Utley (third-team).
