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The UCLA baseball team could not get the big hit yesterday afternoon versus the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, falling in 11 innings, 4-3. The knockout blow was delivered by Georgia Tech’s most dangerous hitter, Kyle McCann, who led off the bottom of the 11th with a walk-off home run.
Kyle Mora (0-1), who previously had not given up neither a run nor a hit on the season, took the loss for the Bruins.
UCLA had plenty of opportunities, but never had an extra base hit and never posted a crooked number on the scoreboard. For example, the Bruins loaded the bases in the 2nd inning with only one out, but were only able to muster one run on a sacrifice fly.
In the top of the 4th, after UCLA scored another run on a sacrifice fly, the Bruins had runners on second and third with two outs, but Jeremy Ydens grounded out to third.
In the top of the 6th, UCLA’s Jack Stronach singled home the tying run and UCLA had runners on 1st and 2nd with one out, but Ydens grounded into a double play.
This lack of clutch hitting in the early to mid-innings doomed the Bruins, who only had two hits (both singles) from the seventh inning on.
Ydens was 0 for 6 and Michael Toglia was 0 for 5. Chase Strumpf had a single and a walk.
The top and the meat of the UCLA order have yet to consistently hit thus far this season. The middle and the bottom of the order have, frankly, been better from the plate. Sophomore right fielder Garrett Mitchell had a good game, pounding out three hits.
UCLA will look to even the series today, with an early first pitch at 11 am PT. Jack Ralston (1-0, 0.00) ERA will take the mound for the Bruins. Georgia Tech will counter with junior lefty Connor Thompson (0-0, 0.00).
Will UCLA Head Coach John Savage shake up his lineup to try to get more right-handed bats into the game while trying to jump start the Bruin hitters at the same time?
Tune in today to see.
This is your UCLA baseball versus Georgia Tech game two open thread. Comments on the game are welcome.
Go Bruins!