University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA
Pepperdine
Bruins Fall Short To Pepperdine 7-6
May 02, 2000 | Baseball
May 2, 2000
MALIBU, Calif. -- Junior catcher Dane Sardinha drove in five runs on grand slam and a tie-breaking single in the seventh inning, as Pepperdine defeated the UCLA baseball team 7-6 Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference game at Eddy D. Field Stadium in Malibu.
Despite out-hitting the Waves 13-9 in today's contest, the Bruins snap a brief three-game win streak and fall to 28-21 overall. Pepperdine has now won five in a row, improving its record to 30-19.
UCLA began the game with a lead-off basehit by junior right fielder Matt Pearl who extended his career-high hitting streak to 11 games. Pearl later came around to score on a run-scoring single by junior catcher Forrest Johnson.
The Bruins took a 2-0 lead in the third on a sacrifice fly by Johnson, driving in junior second baseman Chase Utley who led off the top of the frame with a basehit. By the conclusion of the top of the third, UCLA had racked up eight hits, seven being singles, with only two runs to show for it.
Pepperdine stormed back in the bottom of the third, as UCLA starting pitcher Jon Brandt loaded the bases with two outs, giving up a single and two walks. Freshman lefty Mike Kunes was then brought in to pitch to Sardinha and gave up the go-ahead grand slam as the Waves took a 4-2 lead.
Second baseman Damon Katz added to the Pepperdine lead in the same inning when he doubled with two runners on , but only one scored as third baseman Duke Sardinha was thrown out at the plate on a relay from junior left fielder Bill Scott to junior second baseman Josh Canales to end the inning.
The Bruins came back with two runs in the fourth on back-to-back RBI doubles by Utley and junior first baseman Garrett Atkins to cut the gap to 5-4 and later tied the game 5-5 on a solo home run by Scott in the top of the seventh.
Pepperdine regained the lead off UCLA junior reliever Scott Arrasmith in the bottom of the seventh when with two out and two runners on base, Dane Sardinha drove in the go-ahead run on a line-drive single off the wall in right field. Arrasmith suffered the loss to fall to 0-1 on the season, while Pepperdine reliever Noah Lowry earned the victory.
The Waves added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, and the Bruins threatened in the top of the ninth. Canales led-off the inning being hit by a pitch and Pearl walked, forcing Pepperdine to bring in Damon Katz from second to hold off the rally. Canales advanced to third on a fly out by Utley and scored on a fielder's choice by Atkins to make it 7-6. With two out, Katz walked Scott but Johnson popped up to third to end the inning and the game.
Katz picked up the save, his fourth of the season. Bill Scott led the way for the Bruins, going 3-for-4 with his 18th homer of the season. Pearl, Utley and sophomore third baseman Randall Shelley each had two hits.
The Bruins return home for a very important three-game Pac-10 series with California Friday, May 5 through Sunday, May 7 at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Friday's game is set for 6 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday are scheduled for 1 p.m. start times.
UCLA 101 200 101 6 13 0 Pepperdine 005 000 11x 7 9 0WP - Noah Lowry (5-2). LP - Scott Arrasmith (0-1). Save - Damon Katz (4). 2B - Chase Utley, Garrett Atkins, Randall Shelley, Damon Katz. HR - Bill Scott, Dane Sardinha. SH - Damon Katz. SF - Forrest Johnson, Jared Pitney. Start: 3:00 p.m. Time: 3:10 Attendance: 227
