By Al Scott
A rough first inning by Fresno State combined by a late-game thrashing resulted in a 19-4 victory for UCLA over the Diamond ‘Dogs to open the NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon in Los Angeles.
“The first inning was a big, big blow to start the game. But we got a group of tough guys,” Head Coach Ryan Overland said.
UCLA’s high offensive output featured season highs in both runs (19) and hits (22), including three homers.
“There’s a reason why UCLA hosted,” Overland said.
What happened
The Bruins jumped on Fresno State starter Jack Anker for four runs in the bottom of the first inning, including an RBI double down the left field line for Payton Brennan.
Cam Schneider led off the third with a single into the left-center gap. A wild pitch and a ground out moved him over to third base, before he came around to score on a fly out to center from Griffen Sotomayor.
After seemingly settling in during the second inning, Anker was shaky again in the third. A Roman Martin solo shot plus an RBI single from Blake Balsz made it 6-1 Bruins.
Bobby Blandford began the fourth with a blooper just in front of the left fielder, stretching it into a double. He advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a high grounder to third base, off the bat of Justin Stransky. Lee Trevino and Cayden Munster both got on for Fresno State but were left stranded.
UCLA loaded the bases with no outs to open the bottom half of the inning, forcing a meeting between Anker and Fresno State pitching coach Troy Buckley. On his way out there, Buckley exchanged words with first base umpire Manny Gonzalez. This prompted words between Buckley and Bruins third base coach Niko Gallego off.
Following the mound visit, Anker got Mulivai Levu to fly out to shallow center. A double play would end the inning and the potential rally.
The Diamond ‘Dogs put some more pressure on the Bruins in the fifth, with singles from Sotomayor and Murf Gray, chasing UCLA starter Michael Barnett from the game. He was relieved by Chris Grothues, who immediately got Blandford to roll over to first base for a double play.
Righty Tyler Patrick relieved Anker in the sixth inning and threw a scoreless frame. The Bruins did get to him in the seventh, however; scoring six runs (three charged to Cooper Bergman). A three-run double from Levu (5 RBI on the day) made it 12-2.
Second baseman Eddie Saldivar and Blandford both hit solo homers over the right field wall in the eighth inning, prompting some excitement from the visiting Bulldog crowd.
Brennan continued his hot day at the plate, with a two-run moonshot over the batter’s eye in center field. He finished the day going 3-for-5, with four runs driven in.
Catcher Chashel Dugger followed with a solo homer as well, extending the Bruins lead to 15-4. UCLA added four more runs in the inning, to make it 13 total between the seventh and eighth innings to win it 19-4. Despite the blowout, Bruins Head Coach John Savage had high praise for the Bulldogs.
“Fresno is a legitimate team. I think they’re the toughest four probably in the country,” Savage said. “The score really doesn’t dictate the whole game.”
What’s next
Fresno State will play the loser of UC Irvine and Arizona State tomorrow in order to try to keep its season alive. Mountain West Pitcher of the Year Aidan Cremarosa will be on the mound for the Bulldogs, with first pitch set for noon at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
“You gotta win four games in three days here after losing this first one. So getting a win is the biggest piece, but we got a dugout full of guys that will be ready to fight, possibly their last day together,” Overland said.
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Photos provided by Jacqueline Carrillo