UCLA Loses Series to Berkeley; Can It Avoid A Sweep?

The Bay Area has been a nightmare for the UCLA Bruin Baseball team this weekend. After falling 9-1 on Friday, the Bruins did not fare much better at Evans Diamond yesterday, losing 8-2 to the UC Berkeley Golden Bears (17-6, 6-2 PAC 12). UCLA falls to 12-12 on the season, 4-4 in the PAC 12.

For the first time in the last four games, UCLA got on the scoreboard first, on a couple of RBI doubles by Eric Filia and Sean Bouchard in the top of the 1st inning. UCLA could have had more, with runners at the corners with two outs, but Brett Stephens could not get the timely hit, flying out to center.

The Bruins didn't have the lead for long, as the Golden Bears plated four runs in the bottom of the 1st inning, to take a 4-2 lead, a lead Berkeley would never relinquish, as the Bruins did not score again in the game. It all started innocently with an infield single with one out. But it was followed by another single, and then an RBI single by Berkeley's best hitter, catcher Brett Cumberland. Left fielder Brenden Farney came to the plate, and launch a three-run home run over the left field fence to make it 4-2.

Berkeley put two more on the board in the bottom of the 3rd to make it 6-2, one of which was on a solo home run by third baseman, Mitchell Kranson, and two more on the board in the bottom of the 5th to make it 8-2, on another home run by Farney, this one a two run shot to right field.

UCLA starter, Grant Dyer was roughed up for all eight runs (all earned) in six and 1/3 innings. Jeff Bain (3-1) got the win for Berkeley, scattering eight hits in six and 1/3 innings, and surrendering no runs after UCLA's 2 run outburst in the 1st.

The Bruins will place their hopes on Kyle Molnar this afternoon at 1 p.m. PT to look to avoid the sweep. Molnar has been pitching well, and should have gotten the win last weekend. Berkeley's pitcher is TBA.

John Ramey and Tim Wilhelm have the call for UCLA online. Online stats are also available through Berkeley.

This is your UCLA v. UC Berkeley Game Three open thread.

Go Bruins!