Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
UCLA
UCLA Outlasts Fresno State, 13-11
2/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 14, 2004
LOS ANGELES - Brandon Averill's three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning would prove to be enough to lift UCLA (3-0) to a 13-11 win over Fresno State (2-4) on Saturday afternoon.
The Bruins trailed 11-7 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning after a two-run homer from Brandon Marcelli capped a three-run frame for the Bulldogs. Marcelli was 3-5 with two RBI and three runs scored for the afternoon. Sophomore outfielder Richie Robnett also turned in a three-hit performance for the Bulldogs with three doubles, one short of the school record.
However, the Bruin offense was not done, as Matt Thayer and Brett McMillan both walked to lead off the bottom of the inning. After a wild pitch advanced the runners, Averill would bring both across home plate with a single to left field. After seven, UCLA trailed 11-9.
Walk-on freshman Kevin Brophy threw a 1-2-3 eighth inning to put the Bruins in position to take back the lead. The right-hander from Menifee picked up his first collegiate win in his first outing. He pitched 2.1 innings for UCLA, allowing no runs on two hits with no walks.
Billy Susdorf would start the eighth inning rally with a one-out bunt single. Wes Whisler followed with a single through the right side, while Thayer singled to load the bases off Fresno State sophomore righty Rudy Quinonez. The Whittier, Calif., native picked up the loss after allowing three runs on five hits in 1 1/3 innings of work. McMillan drove in Susdorf with a sacrifice fly, bringing the Bulldog advantage to one run. After Mike Svetlic came in to run for Whisler, Averill hit the game-winner for UCLA off Bulldog freshman lefthander Eddie Romero.
After Ryan Haag flew out to right field, Svetlic would scale a chain link fence and reach into the Bruin bullpen to catch a foul pop-up from Richie Robnett for the second out of the frame. Reliever Kyle Wilson earned the save after striking out Tom Shannon with two runners on to clinch the victory.
Redshirt freshman Jarrad Page provided another offensive highlight for UCLA, hitting a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the first inning in his first collegiate at-bat. The last Bruin to accomplish that feat was Friday night's starter Casey Janssen.
On the mound, sophomore right-hander Scott Botterman was solid in relief work, recording two strikeouts in 3.2 innings of action.
Averill finished the day with six RBI, while Susdorf went 4-for-5 with three doubles. Catcher Chris Denove drove in four runs, while going 3-for-5 at the plate. Thayer was 3-for-3 with three runs scored.
The series wraps up Sunday at 1 p.m. Fresno State sophomore righthander Michael Cooper (0-0, 5.14) is scheduled to oppose UCLA righty Bryan Beck (0-0).
Fresno State 311 003 300 - 11 14 0UCLA 113 020 24x - 13 19 2Scott, Garza (3), Quinonez (7), Romero (8), and Marcelli; Ambriz, Botterman (2), Reid (6), Johnson (6), Schroeder (6), Brophy (7), Wilson (9), and Denove. W- Brophy (1-0). L- Quinonez (0-1). S- Wilson (1). Hrs: FS: Wilson (1), Marcelli (1); UCLA: Page (1), Averill (1). T: 3:50. Att: 531.
