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UCLA pitcher Brant Rustich has compiled a 5.53 ERA and a 1-2 record for the Bruins this year. The

Baseball: Dirtbags leave Bruins behind in the dust, 2-1

Robert Costa
Published: Wednesday, April 6, 2005

The story remained the same for the UCLA baseball team as its season fell even further into the abyss Tuesday night in a 2-1 loss to Long Beach State at Blair Field.

The Bruins (7-18) had chances to break out of their then-losing streak, but once again could not produce in the clutch, extending their losing streak to 14.

In the seventh inning, UCLA loaded the bases with one out and the score tied 1-1. But second baseman Sean Carpenter fouled out to LBSU first baseman Brandon Godfrey and shortstop Tommy Lansdon would strike out swinging to end the threat.

The score remained the same until the ninth inning when the Dirtbags (22-10) manufactured the winning run with some small ball.

Cole Jacobson and Steve Velasco hit singles off of Bruin reliever Bryan Beck (0-5) and Evan Longoria layed down a sacrifice bunt that moved the runners up a base. Godfrey succeeded where the Bruins failed earlier in the game, hitting a sacrifice fly to right field that would score Jacobson and win the game.

Despite the loss, UCLA coach John Savage feels the team is on the cusp of turning this nightmare of a season around.

“We played well and we had some tough luck,” Savage said.

“If you play the way we did tonight, you’re going to see this thing turn around.”

The loss ruined a good outing from UCLA starter Adam Simon, who threw five innings, giving up one run on four hits while punching out five Dirtbags.

The game did not appear destined to be a pitcher’s duel after the first inning.

The Bruins started off the game well, taking a first-inning lead on a Carpenter single after leadoff hitter Will Penniall started the game with a triple. But UCLA quickly lost the lead in the bottom of the inning. Dirtbag shortstop Troy Tulowitzki hit a solo home run off of Simon with two outs to tie the game.

“Things aren’t falling for us but I think we’re really close,” Simon said. “We just need to keep on playing hard and stick together.”