March 12, 2010

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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Right-hander Gerrit Cole (4-0) struck out a career-high 15 batters through 7.2 innings, surrendering two runs (one earned) and five hits, to lead the No. 15 UCLA baseball team past Texas A&M Corpus Christi, 11-3, at the Whataburger College Classic on Friday evening.

Cole's 15-strikeout total was the most by a UCLA pitcher since left-hander David Huff fanned 15 batters at Pacific on Feb. 18, 2006. Cole, a sophomore from Santa Ana, Calif., struck out seven consecutive hitters from the fourth through sixth innings.

UCLA improved to 11-0, the baseball program's best start to any season in the modern era (dating to 1955). The 11-game win streak is the Bruins' longest since securing 13 consecutive victories in 1969.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi left-hander Roy Ferdin (1-1) was tagged with the loss, surrendering eight runs and 11 hits in four innings. Islanders' third baseman Weston Montgomery went 2-for-4 with one double and one RBI.

Bruins' second baseman Tyler Rahmatulla went 3-for-5 with his first career home run, two RBI and two runs. UCLA also received two hits from four players, including right fielder Brett Krill (2-for-5), first baseman Justin Uribe (2-for-5), center fielder Chris Giovinazzo (2-for-4) and catcher Steve Rodriguez (2-for-4). Rahmatulla, Krill and Uribe each totaled two RBI.

UCLA took an early 2-0 lead on Rahmatulla's first career homer, a two-run shot past 400-foot sign in center field. The Bruins pushed their cushion to 4-0 with a two-run third inning. Dunlap led off with a solo homer to left field. After drawing a walk, shortstop Niko Gallego scored from second on a base-hit through the left side by Krill.

UCLA led, 5-0, after the top of the fourth with a run-scoring double-play groundout by Dunlap, sending home Giovinazzo from third base.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi (7-5) scored one run in the bottom of the fourth. After reaching on a single, center fielder Jeramie Marek advanced to third on a throwing error by Uribe (attempted force out at second base on a fielder's choice grounder struck the baserunner). A groundout to second base by designated hitter Matt Holland scored Marek from third.

The Bruins added four runs in the top of the fifth to lead 9-1. Krill had an RBI-single before Uribe connected for a two-RBI base-hit with the bases loaded. Third baseman Dean Espy scored from third base on a balk.

UCLA and Texas A&M Corpus Christi each scored one run in the eighth and ninth innings.

The Bruins return to action against Mississippi State in the Whataburger College Classic on Saturday at 5 p.m. CT/3 p.m. PT. Fans can follow pitch-by-pitch action through GameTracker, available online at uclabruins.com.

Game Notes: Gerrit Cole leads the Pac-10 Conference with 41 strikeouts (and just four walks) through 25.2 innings...Cole becomes the first UCLA pitcher to earn victories in each of his first four starts in a single season since 2004 (Casey Janssen went 5-0 through first five starts that year)...Steve Rodriguez and Blair Dunlap each extended their hitting streaks to six games...Tyler Rahmatulla registered his team-leading seventh multiple-hit game...the Bruins have belted at least one home run in nine of 11 games...UCLA has outscored its opposition by a 17-0 margin in the first inning this season...freshman right-hander Scott Griggs made his collegiate debut, pitching in the bottom of the ninth inning...left-hander Matt Grace made his team-leading eight appearance...the Bruins have out-hit their opponent in each game this season.