UCLA 3 UVA 2
UCLA’s main offensive production came early on. In the first inning, after a Jermaine Curtis leadoff double and single by Blair Dunlap, Alden Carrithers grounded out, scoring Curtis. UCLA scored again in the fourth on a Mickey Weisser single, scoring Carrithers. Virginia got out of the fourth inning relatively unscathed though after Brady Dolan grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Even though this game ended on an error, wih first baseman Jeremy Farrell losing the throw from third baseman Tyler Cannon in the sun, each team provided stellar efforts throughout. UCLA’s Tim Murphy recieved great help from his defense in the form of third baseman Jermaine Curtis, who would have completed a web gem during the top of the fourth if he could only get the ball out of his mitt to make the throw. Curtis was consistent at third, recording four assists on some very well fielded balls. In the top of the 6th, just as it looked like the Cavaliers were gaining the momentum with a sacrifice fly that scored Miclay and advanced Cannon to third, Tyler Cannon was tagged out by Curtis on a perfectly executed hidden ball trick. Jeremy Farrell singled past the SS Brandon Crawford, which would have scored Cannon. Farrell was then picked off by Murphy, with UCLA crushing any potential rally.
Bruin starting pitcher Tim Murphy made a few great plays himself, like later in the top of the fourth when he started a 1-6-3 double play with perfect execution. Murphy also made a great play on a bunt attempt in the fifth, gunning out the advancing runner at second, stopping a potential big inning by the Cavaliers in its tracks. He also made a diving tag on Greg Miclat to start the 8th inning. Later that same inning, Bruin right fielder Brady Dolan made a spectacular diving catch near the warning track on a Jeremy Farrell sacrifice fly, which tied the game for the Cavaliers.
This game could have gone either way and it looked in the late innings to be Virginia’s game to win, but there were some definite missed opportunities. Losing the ball in the sun was very unfortunate for the Cavaliers, but if they would have executed on the basepaths and not grounded into so many double plays, this game would have been decided long before the game ending error.
Virginia will more than likely bounce back against Rider with a big offensive game and pitcher Andrew Carraway on the hill, ready to prove themselves against the loser of Fullerton/UCLA.
Cal State Fullerton 11 Rider 0
This is the time of year that the Cal State Fullerton Titans always seem to hit their stride. Goodwin Field hosts regionals nearly every single year, and even though the players change, the results seem to always stay the same in the Titans 17th straight post season appearance. By the bottom of the second, it was obvious that this team had been here before.
With LF Gary Brown on first, Joel Weeks’ sacrifice bunt advanced Brown to second. Then, Rider pitcher Mike Petrowski (2-6) left a curve up high in the zone for catcher Dustin Garenau, lining a shot that Broncs SS John Rolston couldn’t quite handle, giving the Titans 1st and 3rd with 1 out. 2B Joe Scott then laid down another bunt towards first baseman Sean Olson, who decided to let Gary Brown score and throw to first to make the out, but no one decided to cover and all runners were safe. It was perfect execution by Serrano, and proof that the Rider Broncs were simply outmatched in this game.
Fullerton had 16 hits in all, but Titan pitcher Brian Wilson provided all the offense he needed to get the win in the third inning with a homerun shot to right. This was Wilson’s first start as a Fullerton Titan since transferring from Loyola Marymount. He threw a complete game shut out, surrendering only six hits. Head Coach Dave Serrano was confident in his Wilson’s ability, ” I had a lot of confidence in Brian but I knew the criticism I would have taken had it not worked out.”
Wilson said of being in the batting lineup and on the mound, “I like to hit when I pitch. It gets me into a rhythm. I don’t sit there thinking about everything.”
Jeff Kaplan (11-1) will start for Cal State Fullerton today against UCLA.
Box Score
Interview with Brian Wilson Courtesy of KLAC 570 Los Angeles
