The UCLA offense did just enough in their first two games against Wright St., but they stepped up and did more than enough in Sunday's season finale. Led by Pat Valaika's four RBI, the Bruins pounded Wright St. for eight hits, six of which went for extra bases, and downed the Raiders 10-2 to complete the three-game series sweep and move to 8-2 on the year.
In addition to Valaika's four-RBI day, the Bruins got another big day from Kevin Kramer, who hit in his fourth consecutive game, drew two walks and scored three times. Pat Gallagher also had a big day in the five hole, hitting his first home run of the season, scoring twice and driving two in to give Kramer and Valaika plenty of protection. Ty Moore made sure the bottom of the lineup got involved too, driving in three runs.
The pitching was just as good as the hitting, too. Grant Watson twirled another wonderful game, allowed just one unearned run on three hits and striking out four in seven innings to pick up the win and improve to 3-0. Ryan Deeter threw a scoreless inning before Hunter Virant allowed an unearned run in 0.2 innings. Zack Weiss then wrapped things up, retiring the only batter he faced for out No. 27.
UCLA got off to a fast start, scoring twice in the first. Eric Filia walked and stole second to start off the game before Kramer roped a double to left. Filia came around to score easily and the Bruins were on the board first. Kramer then stole third, allowing him to tag and score on Valaika's fly ball to center for a 2-0 UCLA lead.
The Bruins put the game to bed just two innings later, striking for five runs to essentially wrap up the sweep. Brett Urabe walked to start leadoff the third and after a hit by pitch and a walk, the Bruins had the bases juice with one out. UCLA didn't need to pick up their first hit of the inning to score next either, as Valaika and Gallagher each walked to force runs in. Moore then put the nail in the Raiders' coffin by smashing a triple into right center. All three runners came into score and UCLA was up 7-0.
Wright St. did their best to answer, scoring in the fourth on an error by Shane Zeile, but it wasn't nearly enough. Watson was just too good, spotting his fastball well enough to set up his devastating offspeed pitches as he showed why he could be among the best Sunday starters in the country.
Gallagher got that run back in the next inning, crushing one out for a solo home run to make it 8-1. Valaika kept his big day going the following inning with a two-RBI double and the Bruins just had to see out the game.
The Raiders plated one more run in the ninth, once again unearned, but the game was never in doubt. The Bruins, despite a shaky couple games offensively, were too good and put it all together on Sunday to wrap up the sweep.