Wednesday, 3/5/97
UCLA run over by Gauchos
Bruins let scoring opportunities slip by, weak defense allows
UCSB six unearned runs
By Kristina Wilcox
Daily Bruin Contributor
We all know that the UCLA baseball team hits the ball really
well, but their defense has been the big problem so far this
season. No solution for the problem was offered in Tuesday’s game
as the top-ranked Bruins allowed six unearned runs in their 9-6
loss to unranked UCSB.
The Gauchos (10-9) capitalized on two errors by Troy Glaus, who
started at shortstop for the fourth consecutive game due to Jack
Santora’s foot injury.
"It doesn’t matter where I play, Glaus, who normally plays third
base, said. "I just didn’t get to the balls."
With the game scoreless in the fourth inning, he rushed a throw
on Joe Kemper’s grounder up the middle, and threw the ball beyond
the reach of first baseman Peter Zamora. UCSB scored two unearned
runs after that play.
Two innings later, Glaus, bobbled David Willis’ grounder. The
very next batter, designated hitter Justin Balser, hit a three-run
homer to put the Gauchos up, 9-2.
At this point, one is probably wondering how UCSB kept the
Bruins (20-3-1), who were collectively hitting .361 going into the
game, to just two runs.
The blame can be placed on the Bruins’ inability to capitalize
on prime opportunities.
Take the bottom of the third inning, for example. With one out,
the team got four singles in a row, followed by a walk – providing
the makings of a great inning. But, UCLA was only able to push two
runs across the plate, as the next two hitters both struck out,
ending the potential threat.
The Bruins had scoring opportunities in every inning except the
eighth. However, they scored runs in only three of those innings,
stranding 13 runners overall.
"The strikeout is what really hurt us," hitting coach Vince
Beringhele said. "We need to make contact in those situations."
* * *
There were three Bruin performances during the game that were
overshadowed by the defeat.
Leadoff hitter Jon Heinrichs went 3-for-6 with a double and two
singles.
Cleanup hitter Eric Valent drove in three runs on a single and
his 13th home run of the season. But he did squander a
fourth-inning rally by hitting into a double play to end the
inning.
Relief pitcher Al Thielemann retired all nine batters he faced,
striking out three.
In the meantime, Glaus extended his hitting streak to 12 games,
while Gary Adams’ UCLA coaching record now stands at 748-593-7.UCSB
9,
UCLA 6
PATRICK LAM/Daily Bruin
Dan Keller was the starting pitcher in Tuesday’s game against
UCSB. The Bruins allowed 6 unearned runs in their 9-6 defeat to the
Gauchos.