#14 UCLA Defeats Oklahoma, 4-2

Photo is courtesy of UCLA

LOS ANGELES, California – The No. 14 UCLA Bruins used a four-run seventh inning to defeat the Oklahoma Sooners, 4-2, on Saturday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Stadium. The Bruins are now 2-0 to start the Dodger Stadium College Baseball Classic weekend.

UCLA racked up five hits on the day, led by Eric Filia (3-for-4, 2 RBI) who led the team in hits and RBI. Brett Urabe (1-for-4, R, RBI) also played a pivotal role, driving in a run and scoring once.

Bruin reliever Moises Ceja (1-0) earned his first career-win, pitching one scoreless inning with one
strikeout. Freshman Brian Gadsby (3) earned his second save in as many nights, despite giving up a run in the ninth. Getting the loss for Oklahoma was Alec Hansen (0-2), who allowed two runs over 6.1 innings.

The game started as a pitcher’s duel with each team posting scoreless frames through the first five innings. The Oklahoma starter, Hansen, and the group of UCLA pitchers that were trotted out, silenced the bats early on.

UCLA (5-5) had a good chance in the bottom of the fourth to get on the board first, putting runners on second and third with two outs. However, Hansen struck out Christoph Bono to foil the threat and keep the game scoreless.

Oklahoma (4-7) would be the team to score first, plating a single run in the top of the sixth. Hunter Haley led off the inning with a single and eventually moved to third on a steal and an infield single. Then, with one out, Hunter Southerland drove him in on a sac-fly to center to put the Sooners ahead, 1-0.

The Bruins would respond in a big way in the bottom of the seventh with a four-spot to take a three-run advantage. Luke Persico led off the inning with a triple off of the top of the wall in left center. The Bruin first baseman was then swiftly brought home on a sac-fly by the next batter, Bono, to tie the game at one. Then, following three consecutive walks, Urabe plated the then go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice to the shortstop. Following another walk, this time to Brett Stephens, Filia delivered the big blow with a two-RBI-single through the right side to give UCLA a 4-1 lead.

The Sooners would get one back in the ninth, but a strikeout by Gadsby with the potential tying runs on base would seal the two-run victory for the Bruins.

UCLA closes out the weekend today at Dodger Stadium where they will face the USC Trojans at 3:05pm PT. The game will be televised and can be seen on the Pac-12 Networks. Fans can also listen live on uclabruins.com. Tickets for the event are still available and can be purchased at dodgers.com/tickets or on the day of the game at the Dodger Stadium box office.

Notes: Brett Urabe extended his hit-streak to a team-high seven games…Eric Filia has now reached base in all 10 games this season…Nathan Hadley struck out a career-high four batters…Moises Ceja earned his first career win…Jake Bird made his first career start…The UCLA pitching staff has a combined 1.50 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 18.0 innings this weekend…Head Coach John Savage is now one win away from 400 career wins at UCLA.