Homerdome, Part 2? Two Bruin Homers Power UCLA Past Michigan State, 4-1

Bruin righthander Jon Olsen threw a complete game yesterday, holding Michigan State to one run on five hits while striking out eight en route to his second win of the year as UCLA defeated the Spartans, 4-1.

Meanwhile, UCLA’s hitters gave Olsen plenty of run support for the Bruins’ eighth win of the season. Michael Toglia started things off with a solo home run to left center in the bottom of the first as UCLA took a 1-0 lead.

Olsen made what proved to be his only mistake in the top of the fourth when he gave up a solo shot to left center to Justin Antoncic that tied the game up.

UCLA came right back in the bottom of the inning. Toglia led off and doubled to center for his second hit of the game. Following a walk to Chase Strupf, Jeremy Ydens laid down a sacrifice bunt to move to runners over and UCLA had runners on second and third with one out. A single by Jake Hirabayashi scored Toglia as the Bruins retook the lead, 2-1.

While that run would prove to be the game winner, UCLA added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth. Ydens led off the inning and Ethan Landon hit him with a pitch. After Ydens stole second, Hirabayashi hit a two-run homer to left to give the Bruins a 4-1 lead.

Olsen sent the Spartans down 1-2-3 in both the 7th and the 8th innings. The only base runner he allowed in the final three innings was Ryan King who singled with one out in the ninth, but Olsen got Antoncic to line out and he struck Marty Bechina out to finish the game.

The win moves Olsen to 2-0 on the year while Landon (0-2) took the loss.

This afternoon, UCLA wraps up play at the DQ Classic in Minneapolis with a 4 pm PT game against host Minnesota. While today’s game won’t be televised, it will stream online on BTNPlus, but a subscription is required.

Zach Pettway will get the start for the Bruins and, while Jake Stevenson started last Sunday for Minnesota and should get the nod today, it’s also possible that Minnesota coach John Anderson could opt to use of his other pitchers to start today’s game.

This is your UCLA Bruins vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers open thread.


Go Bruins!!!