UCLA Bruins Aim to Even the Series Against Oregon State

Tonight, the UCLA Bruins (21-6; 8-2 PAC 12) look to even up the series against the Oregon State Beavers (22-7; 5-2 PAC 12), after Oregon State took the opening game last night by a score of 3-2. The Bruins were hard luck losers last night, as Oregon State scored its first two runs after a dropped pop foul with two outs in the sixth inning. After the drop, which would have gotten UCLA starter, James Kaprielian, out of the inning, Oregon State singled, singled again, walked (chasing Kaprielian), and walked again (Cody Poteet issued this bases loaded walk), and (finally) struck out.

Oregon State’s game-winning run was scored in the top of the ninth inning on an error, a sacrifice bunt, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly. The Bruins’ effort to tie in the bottom of the ninth was stymied by a tremendous diving catch made by the Beavers' left-fielder, Kyle Nobach, which prevented a run-scoring double or triple into the left-field gap by Ty Moore. The Bruins later scored their second run, drawing within one, but could not tie the game. Both of UCLA’s errors were costly, and all of OSU’s runs were unearned.

UCLA looks to bounce back tonight in what figures to be another low scoring affair. Both starting pitchers, senior, left-hander, Grant Watson, for the Bruins and freshman, right-hander, Drew Rasmussen, for the Beavs, have ERAs under two. Rasmussen threw a perfect game two weeks ago, the first ever by Oregon State and the first in the conference in 42 years. In Watson’s last start against the Washington State Cougars last weekend, he became the winningest left-handed pitcher in UCLA Bruin history. Watson has 26 career victories. Congratulations, Grant! Keep it going tonight!

First pitch is at 7:00 p.m. PT. Come out to Jackie Robinson Stadium and enjoy some excellent PAC 12 baseball. If you cannot make it out to the ballpark, you can follow along in several ways. The game is televised on the PAC 12 Network. You can follow James Ramey and Tim Wilhelm via online audio stream. You can follow via live game stats. Or, you can follow along in this game thread.

This is your UCLA vs. Oregon State Game Two open thread.

Go Bruins!!!!