Feb. 1, 2003

Final Stats

The Bruins rebounded from a 8-6 opening day loss in a big way, handing Cal State Northridge a 17-6 defeat today at Jackie Robinson Stadium in front of 590 fans.

UCLA scored seven runs in the bottom of the second and seven more in the bottom of the seventh to carry it to victory. Center fielder Matt Thayer went three-for-three, scoring four runs and knocking in one. Catcher Chris Denove also added to the Bruin arsenal, going three-for-four with two RBI and two runs scored.

Even at 1-1, the Bruins caught fire in the second inning when singles from Chris Jensen and Sean Carpenter and Preston Griffin being hit by a pitch loaded the bases for Thayer with no outs. He brought Jensen in with a single. After a failed bunt attempt from Ryan McCarthy, Wes Whisler was issued a walk, which brought Griffin across the plate. Casey Janssen also walked after a pop up from Billy Susdorf and crossed the plate with Whisler after Jensen's double in his second at-bat of the inning.

After four consecutive innings without a run, the Bruins came alive again in the seventh with seven more runs. Carpenter reached first on a fielder's choice and Thayer was intentionally walked with one out. The Matadors intentionally walked Whisler after McCarthy grounded out to load the bases for Susdorf. The Newhall native crushed a single down the right field line to bring in two runs and start the rally. Once again, a Matador wild pitch advanced the runners and walks to Janssen and Denove continued to bring runs across home plate.

Senior co-captain Mike Kunes earned the win, lasting five innings and allowing only one earned run on eight hits. Freshman right-hander Adam Simon picked up the first save of his collegiate career giving up three runs on five hits in four innings.

The teams will wrap up the series tomorrow in a 1:00 match-up at Matador Stadium.