UCLA
San Jose State
No. 2 UCLA Baseball Loses 8-3 Decision to San Jose State
February 27, 2011 | Baseball
Feb. 27, 2011
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LOS ANGELES - The No. 2 UCLA baseball team fell to San Jose State, 8-3, in the first game of a doubleheader at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Bruins (4-2) and Spartans (6-0) resumed a game that had been suspended after one inning on Friday due to rain.
The series finale is scheduled to begin at 3:45 p.m. this afternoon.
San Jose State was led at the plate by Danny Stienstra, who went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs. The Spartans also received two-hit efforts from Craig Hertler (2-for-3, one run) and Jason Martin (2-for-3, one run, one RBI).
Spartans' right-hander Blake McFarland (1-0) earned the victory, limiting the Bruins to two runs and three hits in five innings. UCLA right-hander Gerrit Cole (1-1) was tagged with the loss, allowing five runs (three earned) and five hits in 5.1 innings. Cole logged six strikeouts, issued one walk and hit three batters.
Beau Amaral went 1-for-3 at the plate with UCLA's first home run of the season and two runs scored. UCLA claimed a 1-0 lead off Amaral's solo home run in the first inning on Friday afternoon, before rain prompted the suspension of the game. Both teams resumed action on Sunday at 12 p.m. with the start of the second inning.
The Bruins added their second run of the game in the bottom of the third. With Amaral aboard third base and Tyler Rahmatulla at first, Cody Regis lifted a sacrifice fly ball to left field, allowing both runners to advance.
San Jose State took a 5-2 lead with a five-run sixth inning. The Spartans loaded the bases to open the frame using a hit batter, bunt single and fielding error by Cole. A one-out single through the left side of the infield by Stienstra scored Michael DiRocco and Craig Hertler. Martin had pinch-hit single on a sharp line drive to left field, loading the bases. A hit batter and one walk scored Jake Valdez and Stienstra, respectively. A sacrifice fly to left by Nick Borg sent home Martin for San Jose State's fifth run.
The Spartans scored two more runs in the top of the seventh, extending their cushion to 7-2. Hertler and Valdez each drew walks to open the inning. A one-out single to right field by Martin scored Hertler. With two outs and runners on the corners, Kerry Jenkins struck out and advanced to first base on a passed ball, allowing Zach Jones to score.
UCLA scored on a two-out RBI-single by Pat Valaika in the bottom of the ninth, sending home Chris Giovinazzo from third base.
Game Notes: UCLA's Gerrit Cole and San Jose State's Blake McFarland started on the mound Friday and remained in the game during the resumed portion of the contest on Sunday ... Gerrit Cole pushed his career strikeout total to 274, tied for fourth on UCLA's all-time list with Gary Robson (1970-1972) ... Sunday's game lasted 3 hours, 15 minutes - 17 minutes from Friday and 2:58 on Sunday ... the game will officially count as having been played on Sunday, Feb. 27.
