Wednesday, 4/23/97 Glaus’ home run breaks tie, school record
books Solid hitting, pitching allow UCLA second win over
Toreros
By Brent Boyd Daily Bruin Senior Staff It may not have exactly
been the shot heard round the world, but don’t tell that to Troy
Glaus or the UCLA baseball team. Not only did his home run turn
last night’s contest into an 8-3 Bruin victory over the University
of San Diego, but it turned the school record books upside down.
The junior shortstop’s third-inning shot to deep left field was the
52nd of his career, topping the previous school mark set by Torey
Lovullo from 1984-87. Additionally, the home run (his 24th of the
season), broke a 2-2 tie and allowed the Bruins (35-11-1) to take a
lead they would never relinquish en route to their sixth victory in
the past seven games. Glaus played an integral role in the rest of
the ballgame as well. He finished the game 2-for-3 with three RBIs,
and two runs scored. Also important in the 11-hit Bruin attack was
a 3-for-4 performance from center fielder Eric Valent, two hits
from left fielder Jon Heinrichs, and two RBIs from first baseman
Brett Nista. The UCLA pitchers did a solid job as well. Although
the Toreros (21-18-2) managed 10 hits, the Bruin pitchers clutched
up when they needed to and stranded 10 USD runners. In five innings
of work, starter Gabe Crecion struck out five Toreros, while
scattering four hits and two runs. And although Crecion (1-1) gets
the victory, junior reliever John Phillips deserves credit for
getting the Bruins out of a big jam. Crecion was replaced by
freshman Al Thielemann to begin the sixth inning. However, trying
to protect a 6-2 lead, Thielemann retired only one hitter while
allowing three singles and a walk. By the time Phillips replaced
him on the mound, the Toreros had pulled within 6-3 and had loaded
the bases. However, Phillips proceeded to strike out pinch hitter
David Lembo on a full count and then forced left fielder Errol
Smith to ground out to shortstop, ending the Torero threat. UCLA
sealed the contest in the bottom half of the inning. After third
baseman Aldo Pinto reached on a walk and Heinrichs doubled to right
field, a fielding error allowed both runners to score and gave UCLA
the 8-3 lead. USD did not threaten again as Phillips, Nick St.
George and Rob Henkel shut down the Torero lineup over the final
three innings. This win in front of 205 at Jackie Robinson Stadium
was the second time UCLA defeated the Toreros this season. In
February, the Bruins won a 7-1 contest in San Diego. WIth its 35th
victory of the season, UCLA remains only one win shy of its victory
total from a year ago. The second-ranked Bruins will have a chance
to tie or better that mark this weekend, when they take on USC in a
three-game series. UCLA SPORTS INFO Gabe Crecion UCLA 8 San Diego
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