March 13, 1998

TUCSON, Ariz.--- Senior center fielder Eric Valent drove in a career-high six runs leading UCLA to a 16-14 victory over Arizona here Friday afternoon, ending the fifth-ranked Cats' 22-game home winning streak and their 31-game streak against unranked opponents. UA dropped to 23-5 on the year and 5-5 in the Six-Pac. UCLA improved to 10-14 and 5-7.

Valent put UCLA on the board with a three-run homer, his league-leading 10th of the season, in the first. The Bruins scored four runs off of Wildcat starter Darrell Hussman, who was lifted after failing to record an out. Freshman shortstop Chase Utley drove in five for UCLA, including his fifth home run of the season.

Arizona tied its school record for home runs in a Six-Pac game with five. Second baseman Erik Mattern recorded his third career five-hit game, going 5-for-5 with three RBI, including his fifth home run of the season. Among the other players who homered for the Cats was senior first baseman Kenny Corley who hit his eighth of the season and the 32nd of his career, pulling him within two of the Cats' career record. Freshman center fielder Jason Shroyer hit his first home run as well.

Freshman lefty Bobby Roe picked up the win for the Bruins, while junior southpaw Ryan Moskau took the loss for the Cats. Both pitchers are 3-1. Sunday's scheduled starter for the Bruins, freshman righty Jon Brandt, retired the Cats in the ninth for his second save of the season. Sophomore right- hander Dave Abbott worked a career-high 7.0 innings in relief for the Cats.

The two teams will meet again at 1 p.m. at Sancet Field on Saturday.

 


UCLA          400 105 051 -   16  17  1
#5 Arizona    021 410 240 -   14  16  1

Carter, Phillips (5), Roe (7), Crecion (8), Brandt (9) and Green; 
Hussman, Abbott (1), Moskau (8), Meyer (8) and Clark. 
W-Roe, 3-1. L-Moskau, 3-1. Sv-Brandt (2). 
HRs-UCLA, Utley (5), Valent (10), Nista (5); 
UA, Mattern (5), Corley (8), Hendricks (9), 
Porter (6), Shroyer (1).