Baseball ends Waves’ streak with 5-0 victory
Jacquez gains first collegiate victory against Pepperdine
By Ruben Gutierrez
The Bruin baseball squad brought Pepperdine’s tidal wave of
victories to a screeching halt yesterday, earning a 5-0 shutout
victory at Eddy D. Field Stadium. The victory was the first
collegiate win for freshman pitcher Thomas Jacquez.
"Tom was a little hurt when we came back from winter vacation
and he’s just now starting to get into the groove," UCLA head coach
Gary Adams said. "He didn’t have his fastball down up until last
week, but I was very pleased with his performance and I think he’ll
be all right from here on out."
All four pitchers UCLA utilized threw impressively, holding a
formidable Pepperdine squad  riding a 12 of 13 hot streak
 to only three hits for the afternoon.
John Phillips started the game for UCLA and worked two solid
innings after having thrown in the Bruin’s last contest against
Arizona State last Sunday. Phillips then gave way to Jacquez, who
worked four innings, allowing just one hit. Bobby Kazmirski then
spelled Jacquez out of the bullpen, quickly retiring Pepperdine
batters in order for each of his two innings, striking out two.
With the victory secure, Pete Zamora moved to the mound from
first base and retired the Waves in order in the final inning.
UCLA opened the game with two quick scores in the first to go
ahead 2-0. In the third inning, rightfielder Eric Byrnes sent one
out of the yard to score catcher Tim DeCinces and tally his sixth
home run of the season. The Byrnes dinger stretched the Bruin lead
to 4-0. Leftfielder Nick Theodorou closed the scoring in the sixth
inning, ripping a triple and advancing home on a Pepperdine
error.
Designated hitter/second baseman Chad Matoian was three for five
from the plate to raise his season batting average to .385. Third
baseman Zak Ammirato added his own offensive firepower as well,
going three for four on the day with two singles and a double.
"When you pitch, hit and play defense like we did today, you’re
going to win," Adams said. "We did all three of those things and
ran the bases well, too. We did everything we needed to win."