UCLA Baseball Comes From Behind to Beat Baylor, 5-2

In yesterday’s series preview, orlandobruin noted how the Bruins had won the first four games of the season in different ways. As if the team read his preview, last night, they found another new way to win. They came from behind.

For most of last night’s game, it was a pitchers’ dual. Baylor starter Cody Bradford pitched five scoreless innings while UCLA starter Jake Bird held the Bears scoreless through 5-2/3 innings.

With 2 out in the top of the 6th, Bird gave up an unearned run on a fielding error by Ryan Kreidler. Bird would give up one more unearned run before John Savage turned to his bullpen to get the final out in the sixth.

The Bruins finally broke through in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Ydens singled to center and moved up to second on a wild pitch. Michael Toglia drove Ydens in with a double down the left field line to cut Baylor’s lead to just one.

But, it was an eighth inning rally that would end up winning the game for the Bruins. Jake Hirabayashi and Kreidler both walked to start the rally and McInerny bunted to move the runners over. Daniel Amaral was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the Bruins. Toglia and Kyle Cuellar both drew bases loaded walks to put UCLA up 3-2 before Chase Strumpf singled to left to score Amaral and Toglia. That gave the Bruins a 5-2 lead heading into the top of the ninth.

Holden Powell took over for Brian Gadsby, who had pitched a scoreless eighth, and pitched a perfect ninth to earn his first save of the year. Gadsby (2-0) earned the win for his second this week.

Jacob Ashkinos (0-1) took the loss for the Bears.

The teams meet again this afternoon at 2pm at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

This is your UCLA Bruins vs. Baylor Bears Saturday afternoon open thread.


Go Bruins!!!