Josh Roenicke's bases-loaded single in the top of the 12th inning scored
Ryan McCarthy with the go-ahead run as UCLA beat Cal State Fullerton,
5-4, in a nonconference game at Goodwin Field Tuesday night.
The Titans had their eight-game winning streak snapped and fell to 23-17
overall. UCLA improved to 21-16.
UCLA reliever Kevin Brophy, the seventh Bruin pitcher used on the night,
pitched 2.2 scoreless innings to improve to 5-0. Vinnie Pestano (3-3)
took the loss for Fullerton.
UCLA loaded the bases in the 12th when McCarthy singled, Matt Thayer walked
and Preston Griffin was hit by a pitch. Roenicke drilled a 1-0 offering
from Pestano into left field for the game-winner.
Fullerton trailed, 4-3, before Clark Hardman singled on Brian Schroeder's
first pitch in the seventh to drive in pinch-runner Neil Walton with the
tying run. But the Titans did not get a runner into scoring position over
the final five innings.
Fullerton's bullpen worked out of several jams in crucial spots. Scott
Sarver came on in the fifth with runners on first and second and one,
but struck out the first two batters he faced to retire the side. Sarver
also got three straight outs in the sixth after surrendering a leadoff
double and Clark Hardman was able to strand a runner at third after he
reached with no outs in the eighth. Fullerton's six pitchers comibed to
strike out 14 and walk just two.
P.J. Pilittere had two hits for Fullerton and Brett McMillan, McCarthy
and Griffin each had a pair of hits for the Bruins.
Fullerton will play a three-game Big West Conference series at UC Santa
Barbara this weekend.
