Coming into the first game of the baseball season, hopes were
high for the UCLA team in coach Gary Adams’ last season.
Despite having a sub-.500 record last year, being picked to
finish seventh in the Pac-10 this year and beginning the season
unranked in any poll, the Bruins hoped that they would play at a
level above what the experts predicted for them.
That is exactly what happened Tuesday afternoon at Jackie
Robinson Stadium as the Bruins (1-0) rode the arms of senior Casey
Janssen and freshman Hector Ambriz to a 4-1 upset over UC Riverside
(1-3).
The two pitchers combined to pitch all nine innings, giving up
only five hits and racking up 13 strikeouts in the process.
“Our pitchers did an outstanding job, Adams said.
“Both guys had their good stuff and had good control. When
you get pitching like that, that’s a confidence-builder for
the whole team.”
Janssen and Ambriz’s control was so good there was only
one serious threat from the Highlanders the entire game.
In the first inning, a leadoff double by Aaron Grant, an error
by sophomore Brett McMillan on a Tony Festa ground ball, and a walk
to Jason Collette loaded the bases with two outs.
However, Janssen got UCR first baseman Kevin Mangels to fly out
to right field, ending the threat from the Highlanders.
“After the first inning, I was able to settle down and get
in a rhythm,” Janssen said. “I had all of my pitches
working and I was working ahead and working low in the
zone.”
After that aborted threat, UCR would get only six more
baserunners the rest of the game, opening the door for the Bruins
to strike on offense.
In the second inning, UCLA junior left fielder Matt Thayer
drilled a high fastball from Highlander starter Chad Decker over
the 365-foot-sign in left-center field to give the Bruins their
first run of the game and the season.
“It felt great,” Thayer said. “You always want
to start off on a high note. I got a good pitch, I saw it well and
I put a good swing on it.”
An inning later, most of the Bruins felt comfortable at the
plate, as UCLA sent eight hitters up to the dish and scored three
runs to effectively put the game out of reach.
The bottom of the third inning began with a Billy Susdorf
single, followed by a Wes Whisler single. Sophomore Chris Denove
drew a walk on four pitches, setting the table for Thayer, who
delivered a single to drive in Susdorf.
Then senior Brandon Averill smacked another single into left
field, knocking in Whisler to make the score 3-0. Finally McMillan
hit a sacrifice fly to left field, driving in Denove to give UCLA
its fourth and final run.
That’s all the Bruins would need. Except for a home run to
lead off the ninth by Festa, no UCR runner reached third base for
the rest of the game.