UCLA Baseball Open Thread - (Game 3 v. Stanford)

by Nestor on Apr 11, 2009 11:02 AM PDT in Baseball

Here we go. As rye noted in his game wrap Bruins pulled off a huge win yesterday in Palo Alto after losing a heartbreaker in the first game.

Let's hope Decker and his boy pull off a huge win that can potentially set them up for a nice run in next couple of weeks:

Photo credit: UCLA Baseball's photostream (flickr)

The first pitch is scheduled for 1pm PST. Charles Brewer is going to be on the mound today for Savage's Bruins against Stanford's Brett Mooneyham.

The game will be televised live on CBS College Sports (formerly CSTV). If you don't get that channel, you can follow the action online by the gametracker in official website. You can also get rye's updates via twitter here.

Play ball.

GO BRUINS.

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We're minutes away from the first pitch

It’s a gorgeous day up in Palo Alto.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 1:05 PM PDT reply actions

The UCLA lineup

1) Eddie Murray, 2B
2) Blair Dunlap, CF
3) Cody Decker, 1B
4) Justin Uribe, LF
5) Chris Amezquita, 3B
6) Gino Aielli, C
7) Dustin Quist, DH
8) Chris Giovinazzo, RF
9) Niko Gallego, SS

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 1:06 PM PDT reply actions

A pair of walks to begin the game has the Bruins in business

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 1:10 PM PDT reply actions

Stanford gets out of the inning

Decker strikes out, Uribe hits into a fielder’s choice and Amezquita strikes out. That’s two left on base, one in scoring position.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 1:16 PM PDT reply actions

what a waste

I can’t believe we stranded 2 guys on with no outs.

by maccabita4life on Apr 11, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions

We have a special talent for stranding runners

This is nothing new

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Three ground balls, three outs

A quick inning for Brewer.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 1:20 PM PDT reply actions

Gah

Thought I would get CSTV here on our Comcast network. No luck yet.

by Nestor on Apr 11, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions

According to the CBS College Sports website

They’re on Comcast, but it may not be on Comcast everywhere?

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmm ...

I will check again. Going to head out in about 30-45 mins .. but I will def. be checking in these threads.

by Nestor on Apr 11, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Aielli

reached on a bunt single to lead off the inning and stole second with 1 out, but was left on base.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 1:29 PM PDT reply actions

Sweet

We are getting the game on Comcast!

by Nestor on Apr 11, 2009 1:31 PM PDT reply actions

Sunken Diamond has more foul territory than any ballpark you'll ever see

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 1:32 PM PDT reply actions

Milleville hits a shot for a two run homer

He also hit one out last night. The guy is raking right now.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 1:34 PM PDT reply actions

Just like that

Bruins down 0-2. Ugh I hate that “ping” sound.

by Nestor on Apr 11, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Gaylord has really struggled at the plate this weekend

but he’s made up for it by being a vacuum at third. Off the top of my head, he’s made two diving plays to end innings and save a run.

Brewer did well to settle down after giving up the home run. He spotted his fastball and din’t try to aim his changeup.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 1:41 PM PDT reply actions

Wow

I step out of the living room … and bam it’s 2-2.

by Nestor on Apr 11, 2009 1:46 PM PDT reply actions

Woooooooo

Blair Dunlap connected on a belt high fastball and got alllll of it. Eddie Murray comes home on the bomb after a walk and it’s 2-2.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 1:48 PM PDT reply actions

If you want to see what a real college baseball stadium looks like

That’s it right there. 2,100+ seats and two grass berms that pushes capacity to 4,000, a video board, an actual press box, concessions that can serve as many as it holds, adequate restrooms, a nice clubhouse and auxiliary rooms.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 1:56 PM PDT reply actions

Oregon got a run in the 5th to tie USC, 1-1

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 1:59 PM PDT reply actions

Kiilsgaard made Brewer work for that 3rd out

but Brewer was able to get it and make sure there was no harm done after his error.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 2:04 PM PDT reply actions

That was a big out

with 2 on base.

by Nestor on Apr 11, 2009 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions

After beating #3 Washington yesterday

our softball team is up 4-0 on the Huskies today.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 2:06 PM PDT reply actions

Aielli continues to hit the ball well

Even though that one was tracked down by Gerhart, he’s hitting the ball hard.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 2:07 PM PDT reply actions

I was Aeilli's Frosh baseball coach at ANHS

He’s a great kid with a great work ethic – it’s great to see him earn some playing time. I’ll be headed to the sdsu game that’s upcoming – can’t wait.

by Nakatomi Plaza on Apr 11, 2009 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Too bad it's not a Friday night game

Then you’d have the treat of watching the future #1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg pitch.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Nice turn up the middle from Gallego and Murray

Gets the DP

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 2:17 PM PDT reply actions

Huh

I had no idea Gallego was the son of A’s Mike Gallego. I thought about asking that question the other day … but thought that would be a goofy question. lol

by Nestor on Apr 11, 2009 2:24 PM PDT reply actions

Haha

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions

SC just got 2 in the 6th to go up 3-1

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 2:27 PM PDT reply actions

Decker gave it a good run

but the ball only made it to the warning track for the third out.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 2:30 PM PDT reply actions

The softball team put a hurting on #3 Washington

The mercy ruled the Huskies 10-0.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 2:36 PM PDT reply actions

Haerther is pinch hitting again

And he flies out with a man on first and two out.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 2:45 PM PDT reply actions

Kiilsgaard puts Stanford ahead 3-1 on a home run

He hit a bomb that cleared the trees in left center.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 2:52 PM PDT reply actions

Oops...Stanford's ahead 3-2

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Stanford closer Drew Storen is in after a leadoff single by Giovinazzoin the 7th

Storen was very effective on Thursday night and is the Cardinal’s top reliever.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 3:00 PM PDT reply actions

Gallego got the sacrifice down to move Gio to 2nd

but Murray and Dunlap grounded out to end the inning. The Bruins are now 0-9 with runners in scoring position today.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions

That was frustrating

by Nestor on Apr 11, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Lafferty is in and walks the leadoff man

Odds are he scores. You can’t walk the leadoff man.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 3:10 PM PDT reply actions

After a sac bunt

Lafferty forgot about the runner at second and he stole third.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions

A single up the middle scores a run

When you walk the leadoff man, odds are he will come around to score. 4-2 Stanford.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Grace is in for Lafferty

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 3:15 PM PDT reply actions

The first batter Grace faces

doubles to left center and takes third on an error. It’s 5-2 now and the Bruins’ regional hopes are quickly fading.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 3:20 PM PDT reply actions

Another single up the middle scores one

6-2

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions

After 3 runs the Bruins get out of the inning

6-2 Stanford after 7.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 3:26 PM PDT reply actions

Aielli strikes out with Amezquita on 2nd

Make it 0-10 with runners in scoring position.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 3:34 PM PDT reply actions

Erik Goeddel comes in for Grace to begin the 8th.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 3:35 PM PDT reply actions

Milleville welcomes Goeddell with his 2nd homer of the game

7-2 Stanford.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions

7-2 Final

- Three UCLA errors to none for Stanford.
- Four runs given up by the UCLA bullpen in two innings to the Stanford pen’s no runs in three innings.
- 0-10 with runners in scoring position

This looks like it could be the end of our regional hopes. I’m too pissed off right now to do a recap so check the one from the official site. The Morgan Center, coaching staff and players all need to examine their performance or lack thereof, especially the Morgan Center and coaches.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 3:53 PM PDT reply actions

I get your frustration

at the coaching staff and players…but I’m not sure what the Morgan Center has to do with performances like this. I guess maybe a general lack of motivation? These guys aren’t exactly pushing the Morgan Center’s hand by playing like this…

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Apr 11, 2009 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions

They make it difficult to follow the team

and as a result, it’s difficult to build a fan base. They don’t provide video of homes games online and they don’t provide much information about the team. The press box is nonexistent so many college baseball writers aren’t over inclined to go to games.

They’ve done very little to improve Jackie Robinson Stadium and what they have done hasn’t helped. They installed a new playing surface, but the people they hired to install the surface had never done a surface like that before and the surface came out horrible. It doesn’t drain like it’s supposed to and the surface is uneven with a lot of brown patches. It should absorb rain and drain it well, but it doesn’t because the people who installed it didn’t know they they were doing. Instead of being able to practice on the field soon after a rain, now it takes a lot of work and some time to get it playable. That’s what they’ve done and screwed up. It doesn’t even get into what they haven’t done.

The coaches have underachieved and the players have as well, but at least I can honestly say they’re making the commitment and working their tails off. Their performances still has me upset, but at least they have that going for them. The Morgan Center’s treatment of the baseball program is deplorable and based on what I’ve heard, I have little reason to think it will get any better.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 11, 2009 6:45 PM PDT up reply actions

I got you

Believe me, I know that lack of support from the school can torpedo a program and suck the motivation out, I saw it firsthand with our rowing team. It seems that the team is still performing well below expectations though…

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Apr 13, 2009 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Morgan Center

It should have been safe to assume that baseball would be upgraded (facilities, results) when Guerrero was hired. If a former Bruin baseball player won’t give the program the support it needs, then we are in trouble.

by islandbruin on Apr 12, 2009 6:28 AM PDT reply actions

It's kind of hard to justify

building stadiums and press boxes when classes are getting cut, admissions are getting cut and tuition is getting raised. I want to see the facilities and the program get as much support as possible, but in this environment it is a tricky and politically sticky situation. This is something that should have happened 2-3 years ago when times were good, but as usual the Morgan Center put the immovable “rock” in bureaucracy. I think it will be tough to accomplish today, especially with football and basketball being the current priorities.

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Apr 13, 2009 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions