May 6, 2012

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Box Score | Box Score (PDF) | 2012 UCLA Media Guide

LOS ANGELES - The No. 14 UCLA baseball team lost the series finale to No. 13 Purdue, 15-11, in a non-conference game before 1,529 at Steele Field at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Purdue (35-9) rallied with 10 runs in the top of the ninth inning to erase a 10-5 deficit against UCLA (31-13).

The Boilermakers reached base with four walks in the first five at-bats in the ninth, chasing Bruins' closer Scott Griggs.

Grant Watson entered the game and, after allowing a run-scoring base-hit, induced a sacrifice fly for the second out, as Purdue sliced UCLA's advantage to 10-7. The Boilermakers followed with three consecutive run-scoring singles, all on two-strike counts, to tie the contest 10-10. Sean McHugh delivered the game-tying base-hit with a single through the left side.

Purdue's Barrett Serrato went 4-for-6 with three runs and three RBI, including a two-RBI single in the top of the ninth that gave the Boilermakers a 12-10 cushion. Purdue scored three more runs that inning to lead, 15-10.

Nick Wittgren (1-0) earned the victory, allowing three runs (two earned) and six hits in four innings of relief. Watson (8-2) was saddled with the loss, allowing six runs and six hits in one-third of an inning.

UCLA received three-hit performances from Jeff Gelalich (3-for-4, three runs, two RBI) and Cody Keefer (3-for-4, one run, one RBI). Kevin Williams, Cody Regis and Pat Valaika each went 2-for-5 for the Bruins.

The Bruins scored three runs in the bottom of the second to lead, 3-0. Purdue answered with a three-run fourth inning to tie the contest, 3-3.

UCLA regained the lead with four unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth after Serrato dropped a fly ball in shallow right field. UCLA's first two batters that inning recorded outs, before Kevin Williams lined a double to the left field corner. Beau Amaral drew a walk and both baserunners advanced 90 feet on a wild pitch. Tyler Heineman lifted a shallow fly ball to right field that was misplayed, allowing Williams and Amaral to score. The inning continued with a run-scoring double by Keefer and an RBI-single by Gelalich.

The Boilermakers added two runs in the top of the fifth, taking advantage of three consecutive two-out walks.

UCLA scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to lead, 9-5. With runners at first and third, Keefer lined a base-hit into left field, sending home Amaral. Keefer scored two at-bats later on a sacrifice fly lifted to right field by Trevor Brown.

The Bruins open a nine-game stretch of road games on Tuesday, playing a non-conference game at Pepperdine. Game time at Eddy D. Field Stadium in Malibu, Calif., is slated for 3 p.m.

Game Notes: UCLA's non-conference winning streak was snapped at 17 games ... David Berg made his conference-leading 31st appearance of the season, throwing two scoreless innings ... Chase Brewer recorded a crucial out to end the fifth inning, making just two pitches to help UCLA escape a bases-loaded jam ... Zack Weiss surrendered five runs and 10 hits in 4.2 innings as the Bruins' starting pitcher.