UCLA
Pepperdine
No. 2 UCLA Baseball Wins Fourth Straight, Downs Pepperdine, 9-0
February 22, 2011 | Baseball
Feb. 22, 2011
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LOS ANGELES - Pat Valaika and 2-for-3 with three RBI, and Chris Giovinazzo went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI to lead the No. 2 UCLA baseball team past Pepperdine, 9-0, at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Tuesday night.
Five UCLA pitchers combined to help the Bruins (4-0) post their third shutout in the team's fourth game of the season.
Sophomore right-hander Scott Griggs (1-0) earned the victory, tossing four scoreless predetermined innings in his first collegiate start. Making his ninth career appearance, Griggs scattered two hits, logging five strikeouts and two walks.
Ryan Deeter allowed one hit in 1.2 innings, recording three strikeouts and one walk in his collegiate debut. Zack Weiss tossed 1.1 hitless innings. Chase Brewer threw a 1-2-3 eighth inning, and Brandon Lodge recorded the final three outs.
Pepperdine left-hander Matt Maurer (0-1) absorbed the loss, surrendering five runs (two earned) and four hits in the first inning. Maurer logged one strikeout and one walk in his first collegiate start.
Catcher Tyler Heineman accompanied Valaika and Giovinazzo as the only other Bruin to record multiple RBI. Making his second consecutive start as the catcher, Heineman went 1-for-4 with one double and two RBI. Cody Keefer scored two runs, going 0-for-1 with one walk and one sacrifice bunt.
The Bruins claimed a 5-0 lead in the first inning. With the bases loaded, Giovinazzo lined a two-run single into right-center field. Keefer followed with a sacrifice bunt and was safe on a throwing error by third baseman Cody Yount, allowing Dean Espy to score from third. Tyler Heineman's groundout to second base allowed Giovinazzo to cross the plate. Valaika followed with his first collegiate hit, a line drive into center field that scored Keefer from third.
UCLA added three runs, all with nobody out, in the bottom of the fifth. Giovinazzo and Keefer opened the frame with consecutive walks. A double down the right-field line by Heineman scored Giovinazzo from second base. Keefer and Heineman both scored on an ensuing single up the middle by Valaika.
The Bruins scored one more run in the bottom of the eighth. With the bases loaded, Espy grounded into a double play to third base, allowing Cody Regis to advance home.
UCLA hosts a three-game series against San Jose State beginning Friday, Feb. 25. Game time at Jackie Robinson Stadium is slated for 6 p.m. Admission costs $7 for adults and $5 for youth (16 and under).
Game Notes: UCLA has allowed one unearned run in 36.0 innings this season ... the Bruins' pitching staff has allowed 17 hits, limiting the opposition to a combined .139 batting average through four games ... UCLA's pitchers have notched 44 strikeouts and 11 walks ... freshman Pat Valaika recorded his first collegiate hit in the bottom of the first inning ... freshman Brian Carroll made his UCLA debut as the team's starting designated hitter ... freshman Kevin Williams made his UCLA debut pinch-hitting in the bottom of the seventh inning ... UCLA recorded its fourth consecutive win against Pepperdine (dating back to the 2009 season).
