When it rains, it pours. Even with a sunny and cloudless sky.
The No. 3 ranked Bruins (1-1) still found a way to make it rain on their way to an overwhelming 21-2 lead over Cal State Northridge (1-2).
The game, which was relocated to Northridge’s Matador Field because of wet conditions at Jackie Robinson Stadium, was suspended after seven and a half innings as a result of darkness and absence of field lighting.
Matador coach Steve Rousey will decide tomorrow whether to forfeit the game or resume play in the eighth inning next time the two teams meet. The Bruins host the Matadors on April. 15.
Although all player statistics are technically unofficial, UCLA had an exceptional offensive performance. The Bruins scored at least one run in every inning, and each starter registered at least one hit.
Leading the offensive attack was redshirt senior left fielder Brady Dolan, who went 2-for-3 with five runs batted in.
Dolan connected for a two-run double in the second inning and smacked a three-run home run in the third inning. He left the game after fouling a ball off his leg in the fourth inning.
The Bruins got on the board in the top half of the first inning following a lead-off double by third baseman Jermaine Curtis and a run-producing ground out by shortstop Brandon Crawford.
That run was only an indication of things to come. Curtis would successfully reach base in each of his seven plate appearances.
UCLA added four runs in the second inning, highlighted by Crawford’s two-out, two-run single. Dolan’s three-run home run was the key to a five-run third.
A walk and four hits in the fourth scored another four runs.
Sophomore right fielder Gabe Cohen smacked his second home run of the season in the fifth inning to push the Bruin lead to 16-1.
The offense added four more runs in the sixth, highlighted by three-run double off the bat of sophomore outfielder Justin Uribe.
Sophomore left-hander Matt Drummond, making his third career start, struggled with his control early.
After hitting two batters and walking another to load the bases in the first inning, the southpaw escaped the jam by getting a clutch strikeout. Drummond gave up two runs, three hits, walked two and hit three batters while striking out three in five innings of work.
Charles Brewer, a sophomore right-handed pitcher who is a part of the weekend starting rotation, relieved Drummond and retired the six batters he faced.
NEXT UP FOR THE BRUINS: The Bruins are back at home tonight to take on UC Santa Barbara (3-0) of the Big West Conference.
Freshman left-handed pitcher Rob Rasmussen will take the mound for the Bruins in his collegiate debut. Senior second baseman Alden Carrithers will be taking on his former team for the first time.
Carrithers transferred from UCSB following the 2006 season. The Gauchos will send senior right-handed pitcher Michael Martin to the mound.