Seniors Brent Dean and Alden Carrithers made sure the final home game of their careers was a memorable one.
In the bottom of the fifth inning with the score tied 0-0 with two outs, Dean and Carrithers hit consecutive RBI singles to put the Bruins up 2-0, providing all the runs the UCLA baseball team would need in a 2-1 win over Washington State (28-25, 6-15 Pac-10) on Sunday. The win completed a series sweep for the Bruins (29-23, 11-10), who won 10-0 on Friday and 7-6 in 10 innings on Saturday.
It was the Bruins’ first sweep of the conference season, and it helped them jump from a sixth-place tie in the Pac-10 standings to a third-place tie with California, greatly improving their chances of earning a spot in the postseason.
“The position that we were in before the series started, we were kind of borderline,” Carrithers said. “So to come in here and get a sweep was definitely big for our future in making the playoffs.”
Despite the inconsistencies that have plagued the team throughout the season, both players and coaches said after the game that the Bruins are finally beginning to play up to their potential.
“Our coach reestablished our goals after we lost that game up at Oregon State Friday night,” Dean said. “Since that game, I think we’ve really played well. A lot of guys have contributed everyday. Seniors have stepped up a lot, juniors, sophomores, freshmen ““ all the way around, I think we’re starting to flow a little more together. A little more chemistry, and this is what we’ve been waiting for all year.”
On Friday night, the Bruins set the tone for the rest of the weekend with a dominating performance, paced by starter Tim Murphy’s strong outing. Murphy earned his fourth win of the year by throwing seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out eight. The Bruins scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to turn a 2-0 advantage into a 9-0 lead that put the Cougars out of striking distance.
Coach John Savage was pleased with Murphy’s performance, commenting that it was reminiscent of the way Murphy pitched at the beginning of the season.
“Murph was as good as he has been in a long time,” Savage said. “That was Murphy in February and March. Now, not to say that he hasn’t pitched well; I thought he pitched well against Arizona State. He has pitched well, he just hasn’t had really anything to show for it. When you throw up zeros in this conference on Friday nights, you should get the win.”
A key part of Saturday’s win over the Cougars was the offensive performance of right fielder Gabe Cohen. Cohen, the Pac-10 Co-Newcomer of the Year last season, had struggled thus far this season but hit two critical home runs on Saturday.
“(I’m) just happy that they were big enough that we could stay in the game,” Cohen said. “Had my teammates pick us up the rest of the way, and we got that win. Just glad to be a part of a really good effort.”
Perhaps the most emotional moment of the weekend came Sunday on senior day. Prior to the start of the game, the four seniors on the team ““ Carrithers, Dean, Brady Dolan and Mickey Weisser ““ were honored in a ceremony.
“It was tremendous for them,” Savage said. “We’re all very proud of them. They’re true Bruins. All four of them really accepted their roles. They really meant a lot to the program, meant a lot to this team, and their careers are long from being over.”
Carrithers, who transferred to UCLA from UC Santa Barbara last season, said the ceremony was a great way to start his final home game.
“It’s meant a lot (being able to play here),” Carrithers said. “Coach Savage and his coaching staff gave me the opportunity to come to UCLA. It’s a great school. I’m really glad I could finish my college career here. It’s really special.”