The UCLA baseball team got back in the win column with a 4-2 victory in their series opener against Minnesota at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Friday.
The Bruins batters struggled to make contact with the Golden Gophers pitches, as their four hits and three walks lead to four runs, but nine strikeouts. UCLA’s four pitchers were able to make up for it by allowing only five hits and three walks for two runs, while also piling up nine strikeouts.
No hit zone
The first three innings were a slow start for both teams with no base runners or hits allowed. There was a lot of a swing-and-miss though, with five strikeouts between the two teams.
First strike
Minnesota had a pair of hit lead to two runs in the top of the fourth. UCLA wasn’t able to counter in the bottom of the fourth, but they were able to get their first hit and base runner with a double.
Beatdown in the fifth
In the bottom of the fifth, UCLA vigorously came back with an aggressive three hit sending four Bruin runners across home plate to put them up 4-2 half way through the game.
Scoreless finale
The final four innings were scoreless with Minnesota getting only two hits over the course of those innings. The Bruins pitching masterclass carried UCLA to the win as their batters continued to struggle with no hits over the few innings. UCLA ace Logan Reddemann moved to 8-0 on the season.
UCLA will play their second game against Minnesota on Saturday with an anticipated start time of 2 p.m. PT.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA baseball gets back in the win column in Minnesota series opener
Reporting by Ryan Lorenz, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
