University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA
Pepperdine
Baseball Pulls Out Another Ninth Inning Victory
February 20, 2001 | Baseball
Feb. 20, 2001
MALIBU, CA - The 24th ranked UCLA baseball team scored two runs in the top of the ninth to defeat the 10th ranked Pepperdine Waves, 6-5, in non conference action this afternoon. Adam Berry drove in Brian Baron with a single to left field in the ninth to take a 6-5 lead, and Bruin reliever Doug Silva struck out Jared Pitney with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the win for the Bruins. With the victory, UCLA improves to 9-4 overall, while Pepperdine drops to 8-2 on the season.
UCLA starter Wade Clark allowed the Waves to take a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning. The Bruins put their first run in the board in the fourth. Eric Reece doubled to left field. After the Reece double, Pepperdine pitcher Eric Valenzuela walked three straight batters, with Rashad Parker's walk sending Reece home for the Bruins' first run.
UCLA reliever Chris Cordeiro allowed a run in the fifth to give the Waves a 4-1 lead, but the Bruins respond in the top of the seventh with three runs. Freshman Preston Griffin started the inning with a single, and right fielder Ben Francisco hit his first home run of the season to cut the Wave lead to 4-3. Baron singled in his next at bat, and after a Berry walk, pitcher Kevin Beavers balked to advance the runners to second and third. A Reece ground out sent Baron home to tie the game at 4-4.
After Bruin reliever Paul Diaz allowed a run, freshman Casey Janssen came in and forced Pepperdine to ground out and strike out.
Down 5-4 in the ninth, the Bruins put together another game winning rally. Francisco came up with his third hit of the game, and advanced to second on a passed ball. Baron hit a double to left center, sending Francisco home to the tie game. With Baron's pinch runner, Christian Lewis, at second, Berry got his first hit of the game to send Lewis home for the go ahead run.
The Waves put together a strong run in the bottom of the ninth, but strong relief pitching by Silva ended the threat. Silva entered the game with the bases loaded and one out, but forced Danny Garcia to line out to Griffin, and struck out Pitney to preserve the win and get his first save of the season.
Kevin Jerkens picked up his second win of the season after pitching one inning and allowing two hits.
Baron finished the day 4-for-5 with one run and one RBI. Francisco went 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBI, including his first home run as a Bruin. Randall Shelley went 2-for-4.
The Bruins will host #16 Tulane this weekend in a three game non conference series. Friday's game starts at 5:00 p.m., while the two weekend games are scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
