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The UCLA Bruin baseball team (17-17, 9-7 PAC 12) squandered a nice comeback in the bottom of the 9th inning, falling in ten innings to the top ranked Oregon State Beavers (31-2, 15-1 PAC 12) by the score of 4-2. UCLA will look to even the series today at 6 p.m. PT, while OSU seeks a series win at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
Oregon State struck first in the top of the 4th inning, as Griffin Canning allowed a single and a walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Sophomore outfielder Trevor Larnach worked a full count after fouling off three pitches, and tagged Canning with a single up the middle, scoring the runner from second. To his credit, Canning struck out the next three batters, keeping the score at 1-0, Beavers.
Oregon State added another run in the 5th inning, with a two out single by junior, KJ Harrison, to extend the Beavers’ lead to 2-0. Canning had the count in his favor, 1-2, but could not retire Harrison, who is hitting .346.
Oregon State took the 2-0 lead into the bottom of the 9th inning. In came the Beavers’ closer, Jake Mullholland, who had only given up two runs in 33 innings this season. Mulholland walked Kyle Cuellar, but Chase Strumpf grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.
With the Bruins down to their last out, freshman Michael Toglia tripled to center field. UCLA Head Coach John Savage called for the pinch hitter, senior Nick Kern, and Kern delivered big time, launching a 3-2 pitch over the left field wall to tie the game, 2-2, in dramatic fashion.
The Bruins’ celebration, however, did not last long.
Jake Bird came on to pitch the 10th inning, and it wasn’t pretty. A four pitch walk, a balk, another walk, a double, and a single pushed the Beavers over the top, 4-2.
Mulholland (5-0) retired the Bruins in order in the bottom of the 10th, earning the victory. Bird (4-1) took the loss. Although Jake looked good in his two Saturday starts before injury early in the season, he has struggled coming out of the bullpen of late.
Game two is today at 6 p.m. PT. Moises Ceja (1-3, 2.79 ERA) will take the hill for the Bruins. Bryce Fehmel (4-1, 3.00 ERA) gets the start for the Beavers.
The game will be televised live on ESPNU. John Ramey and Tim Wilhelm will call the action via online streaming audio. You can also follow along with live stats.
This is your UCLA Bruin Baseball versus Oregon State Beaver game two open thread.
Go Bruins!