Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
UCLA
Underwood, Mills Key Second Bulldog Win Of The Day
2/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 4, 2006
Los Angeles, Calif. - Fresno State won for the second time in the day in completely different fashion, winning a tight pitcher's dual 5-0 behind excellent pitching from starter Andy Underwood. Underwood matched UCLA pitcher Dave Huff inning for inning as the two held both teams scoreless through seven, and did him one better as he held off the UCLA batters through the entire evening.
Coming off of a marathon, two-day affair from the first game, both teams relied on California Junior College transfers in the second game of the day, and both proved that they were up to the challenge. Huff pitched 7.0 innings of shutout ball and struck out eight Fresno State batters but was caught at the end of the eighth. As for Underwood, the Fresno City star started out the game with four no-hit innings and ended the game with a three-hit shutout.
The Bruins were the team with the first serious challenge of the scoreboard though. After getting the first out of the inning, Underwood walked catcher Ryan Babineau and then Tim Murphy singled, giving UCLA runners at the corners. Underwood got a strikeout to get out of immediate trouble, and Christian Vitters closed out the inning, fielding a tough grounder to just beat Blair Dunlap at first to end the inning.
Fresno State made their rally at the end of the eighth inning. Huff was able to record the first out of the inning, but gave up two singles to Erik Wetzel and Ozzie Lewis to give the Bulldogs runners. After retiring Christian Vitters, the Bruins looked to avoid the scare when Kent Sakamoto hit a hard grounder to short, but UCLA's Brandon Crawford bobbled the ball, and Fresno State was able to capitalize on the error. Nick Moresi hit a high chopper which everyone was able to beat out to give the Bulldogs one run, and Beau Mills did the rest, hitting a grand slam to right, just clearing the glove of a leaping Chris Jensen.
The pitching did the rest of their job for the night. Underwood moved through a scoreless eighth, and Jason Breckley retired the side in order during the ninth to preserve the shutout. The Bulldogs conclude their series with the Bruins tomorrow, with first pitch coming at 1 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
