UCLA
Nebraska
No. 5 UCLA Baseball Falls at Nebraska, 5-4, in 11 Innings
March 06, 2011 | Baseball
March 6, 2011
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LINCOLN, Neb. - The No. 5 UCLA baseball team lost at Nebraska, 5-4, in 11 innings in Sunday afternoon's series finale. Nebraska's Bryan Peters belted a game-winning walkoff home run on the first pitch to lead off the bottom half of the 11th inning, snapping a 4-4 tie.
Nebraska (8-4) scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning - two with two outs - to tie the ballgame, 4-4, before Peters delivered a home run in extra innings. Each of the three games at Haymarket Park finished in extra frames with UCLA winning Friday, 1-0, in 11 and Nebraska securing a 2-1 victory in 12 on Saturday.
Peters finished the afternoon going 2-for-5 with two runs and one RBI.
Right-hander Casey Hauptman (2-1) earned the victory for the host Cornhuskers, pitching two scoreless innings in relief. UCLA left-hander Mitchell Beacom (0-1) was tagged with the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) and four hits through 1.1 innings of relief.
UCLA (7-4) entered the ninth inning ahead, 4-1, before Nebraska rallied with three runs. Trailing 4-2 with two outs and nobody on base, the Huskers took advantage of a throwing error by shortstop Pat Valaika. Peters moved to second as the throw to first was overthrown, before taking third on a wild pitch. A sharp ground ball that escaped the reach of second baseman Tyler Rahmatulla bounced into the outfield and scored Peters, cutting UCLA's lead to 4-3. After stealing second base, Asche scored on a two-out single up the middle by Josh Scheffert. Beacom fanned Kash Kalkowski to push the game to extra innings.
The Bruins put two runners on base in the top of the 10th but could not capitalize. Nebraska had baserunners at second and third with two outs in the bottom half of the inning before Beacom struck out Kale Kiser to end the threat.
Nebraska's late comeback overshadowed a valiant effort by UCLA freshman right-hander Adam Plutko, who threw six scoreless innings in his third start of the season. Plutko scattered six hits, notching seven strikeouts and issuing two walks. Plutko, Zack Weiss and Beacom combined to strike out 14 batters in the series finale.
UCLA's offense totaled 11 hits, scoring three runs in the first inning before adding one more in the fourth. Dean Espy (2-for-6, one run, one RBI), Tyler Rahmatulla (2-for-4, two runs) and Cody Keefer (2-for-5, one RBI) were the three Bruins to record two or more hits.
In the top of the first, Jeff Gelalich was hit on the first pitch of the game, stole second base and moved to third on a single to right field by Rahmatulla. A single to center by Espy plated Gelalich, and a bunt down the first-base line by Keefer scored Rahmatulla from third.
The Bruins pushed their margin to 4-0 in the top of the fourth. After leading off the frame with a hit-by-pitch, Rahmatulla stole second base and advanced home on a single up the middle by Beau Amaral.
UCLA returns to action against Georgia at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Friday, March 11, in the second annual Dodgertown Classic presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California. Game time is 6 p.m. Tickets to Friday's game against Georgia and Saturday's contest against Saint Mary's cost $7 for adults and $5 for youth (ages 16 and under).
The Bruins take on crosstown rival USC at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, March 13, at 2:30 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets in advance for $5 at UCLA's Central Ticket Office on Monday through Friday and at the ticket booth at Jackie Robinson Stadium during the team's home games on Friday and Saturday.
Game Notes: UCLA's all-time record against Nebraska dropped to 6-2 ... the Bruins' pitching staff collected 46 strikeouts in three games, all pushing into extra innings ... on the mound, UCLA has recorded 10 or more strikeouts in nine of the team's 11 games ... the Bruins fell to 1-2 in extra inning games this season (all versus Nebraska) ... Adam Plutko lowered his season ERA to a team-leading 0.47 mark (one earned run allowed in 19.0 innings).
