Behind a masterful pitching performance from sophomore right-hander Adam Plutko, the UCLA baseball team jumped to an early lead and held on to secure a 3-0 victory over Creighton in the NCAA regionals at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
Plutko pitched a two-hit complete game shutout in what coach John Savage called his “best outing of the year.”
The complete game, his second of the year, came at the end of a difficult week for the right-handed pitcher, who has been dealing with the death of his great-grandmother last week.
In town for the funeral, which was held yesterday in San Diego, many of Plutko’s family members were able to watch him pitch.
“We had a lot of family in town for the service, so to do it in front of my uncles from New York and those from Oregon ““ my sister was down here from Oregon ““ was a lot of fun,” he said.
The Bruins jumped on left-handed pitcher Ty Blach early, scoring a run in the first and two in the second. Junior center fielder Beau Amaral went 3 for 4 including an RBI double. After giving up three runs in the first two innings, Blach settled in and struck out six batters with no walks.
“It was quite a game. I mean both guys were very good. (Blach) is one of the hottest pitchers in the country and he proved that tonight,” Savage said.
UCLA will face New Mexico on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Lobos upset No. 2 regional seed San Diego 4-0 in Friday’s earlier game. They have now won 10 straight games. Creighton will play San Diego at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Compiled by Mansi Sheth, Bruin Sports senior staff.