The playlist of walk-up songs at Jackie Robinson Stadium contained a new song on Tuesday night to go along with a change in No. 11 UCLA’s batting order: Led Zeppelin’s “When the Levee Breaks.”
The song, which played every time sophomore Pat Gallagher stepped to the plate, proved to reflect the game’s outcome all too well; UCLA produced a tidal wave of offense that spelled doom for a struggling Northridge team.
The game was competitive early, however. The game featured three lead changes in the first four innings as Northridge scored in the first inning and consistently put pressure on freshman starter Grant Watson.
“They didn’t get a great start. I thought they were on (Watson) from the get-go, so that was a little disappointing,” said coach John Savage.
With Gallagher at first base, junior Trevor Brown started at catcher, giving junior Tyler Heineman a much-needed break.
“We wanted to give Heineman a break, he’s been catching a lot. So it was a good opportunity to get Gallagher and (Matt) Giovinazzo in the game. Pat knocked in a couple runs and did a real nice job,” Savage said.
UCLA (25-8) had a two-run lead going into the seventh inning, which is when the figurative levee broke. UCLA scored seven runs in the bottom of the seventh to increase the lead over Northridge to nine runs.
Sophomore shortstop Pat Valaika was one of six Bruins with multiple hits on the night and collected his team-leading 10th double in the seventh inning to drive in two runs.
“Northridge kept it close, but that seventh inning we had I think 10 straight quality at bats and that was the key,” Valaika said.
Junior centerfielder Beau Amaral also delivered again for the Bruins in the leadoff spot, stretching his hit streak to 19 games.
Amaral hit three-for-five, drove in two runs of his own and cranked a solo homer to right field that brought the crowd to its feet.
UCLA’s bullpen was dominant again, allowing only one run in relief of Watson, who gave up three in four innings pitched.
Freshman Zack Ortiz and five other pitchers came out of the bullpen and combined to limit Northridge to just one run in the game’s final five innings.
“Guys came in that haven’t pitched as much, but they looked like they’ve been pitching all year. They pounded the zone and it was good to see those guys come in and pitch well,” Amaral said.