UCLA
Georgia
No. 13 UCLA Baseball Falls to Georgia, 6-2
March 11, 2011 | Baseball
March 11, 2011
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LOS ANGELES - The No. 13 UCLA baseball team dropped a 6-2 decision to Georgia on Friday evening at Steele Field at Jackie Robinson Stadium on the opening night of the second annual Dodgertown Classic presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California.
In a game that turned into a fierce pitcher's duel through the first six innings, Georgia punched through with four runs in the top of the seventh and held on to secure the non-conference victory.
The Bulldogs (6-8) took a 1-0 lead on a run-scoring single through the right side by Chase Davidson before Kyle Farmer belted a one-out, three-run home run to left field.
Georgia registered its first hit and run in the top of the seventh. UCLA right-hander Gerrit Cole (1-2) carried a perfect game into the seventh inning for the second week in a row. Levi Hyams' one-out double to left-center field in the seventh snapped a string of 19 consecutive batters retired by Cole, who finished with 12 strikeouts and one walk in seven frames. Cole allowed four runs (three earned) and three hits in his fourth start of the year.
Georgia left-hander Alex Wood (1-2) picked up his first win of the season, limiting the Bruins (7-5) to one run and four hits through seven frames. Wood tallied 11 strikeouts and did not issue any walks.
UCLA got on the board in the bottom of the seventh on a solo home run by Chris Giovinazzo, his fifth career round-tripper. Giovinazzo went 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI as one of two UCLA batters to log at least two hits. Dean Espy also went 2-for-4 with one double.
The Bulldogs pushed their margin to 6-1 with a two-run homer by Johnathan Hester in the top of the eighth inning.
UCLA's ninth-inning rally fell short, as the Bruins loaded the bases with nobody out. Cody Keefer drew a four-pitch walk to score Tyler Rahmatulla. Georgia closer Tyler Maloof struck out Giovinazzo before inducing a game-ending double play from Tyler Heineman to notch his team-leading fifth save.
Georgia was led at the plate by Farmer, who went 1-for-3 with three RBI and two runs. Hester went 1-for-3 with two RBI and one run.
UCLA returns to action against Saint Mary's on Saturday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Game time is slated for 2 p.m. Fans can purchase $5 tickets to Sunday's game at Dodger Stadium (vs. USC) during UCLA's game against Saint Mary's on Saturday.
Game Notes: Gerrit Cole logged 12 strikeouts, pushing his career total to 294, the fourth-highest total on UCLA's career strikeout list ... Cole made 15 pitches through the first two innings, including just five in a 1-2-3 first inning ... Friday night's game between UCLA and Georgia marked the first-ever meeting on the baseball diamond between the two schools.
