Monday, February 10, 1997
By Sierra Roberts
Daily Bruin Contributor
After coming off a disappointing defeat to Nevada on Saturday,
the Bruins turned up the heat and shut out the visiting Wolf Pack
in the final game of the three-game series on Sunday at Jackie
Robinson Stadium.
Just one day removed from blowing a two-run ninth-inning lead in
their 6-5 loss to Nevada, UCLA dominated the Wolf Pack, 11-0.
Sunday’s game was pretty much over by the end of the third
inning, as UCLA jumped out to a 10-0 lead.
Leftfielder Jon Heinrichs smacked two homeruns out of the park,
the first being the opening hit for the Bruins on a 1-2 count. His
numbers included three runs and two RBI.
"We wanted to jump on them early," Heinrichs said. "We were
pretty upset about what happened (Saturday). We wanted to make a
kind of statement today."
Much of the day’s success can be attributed to Bruin starting
pitcher Jim Parque.
Parque had 10 strikeouts, and allowed no runs on only four hits
and two walks.
"It was Parque’s best game of the year," UCLA head coach Gary
Adams said. "He was in command and worked the hitters well."
"I finally found what I need to do," the senior pitcher said. "I
threw well and concentrated on getting ahead of the hitters instead
of walking the world like I have been."
The Bruins (9-1-1) really took command of the game in the second
and third innings. A grand slam by first baseman Peter Zamora made
the Bruin lead 7-0 after only two innings.
Zamora finished the game 3-for-4, with one run scored, and four
RBI.
In the third, Heinrichs’ homerun and another two-run shot by
third baseman Troy Glaus (his sixth of the season), established a
10-0 UCLA advantage.
The final Bruin run scored on a Jack Santora eighth-inning
homerun.
The victory was one that UCLA really needed, as a result of
their loss the night before.
The Bruins’ first loss of the season couldn’t have been any more
disappointing.
Nevada (4-2) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third inning off
starting pitcher Peter Zamora (5 IP, 2 earned runs, 6 hits, 5
strikeouts).
However, UCLA came right back with five runs in two innings.
Glaus narrowed the gap in the fourth inning with a two-run
homerun. Glaus did not get many other opportunities to hit however,
as the Wolf Pack pitched around, letting him earn bases on balls
twice.
The Bruins took the lead in the fifth inning. With the score
tied 3-3, centerfielder Eric Valent got his only hit of the
afternoon at a very opportune time. With the bases loaded and two
outs, he extended his hitting streak to 10 games, with a 2-RBI
single, handing the Bruins a 5-3 lead.
UCLA pitchers Dan Keller and Rob Henkel shut out the Wolf Pack
for the next three innings, but the Bruins couldn’t mount a rally
either, and the score remained 5-3 entering the ninth.
With two outs and no runners on base, it seemed as if UCLA had
the game wrapped up. The Wolf Pack had other things on their
minds.
First, pinch-hitter Don Price was hit with a pitch on a full
count. Then, leftfielder Luke Sellers beat out a slow roller down
the third base line, and second baseman Justin Martin walked,
loading the bases.
Then, a two-run throwing error by Troy Glaus tied the game and
two consecutive walks by Jake Meyer allowed Nevada to take the
lead.
The Bruins did not get any baserunners in the ninth.
UCLA won the opening game of the series, 11-0, on Friday.