Matadors hand team third-straight loss

Friday, February 26, 1999

Matadors hand team third-straight loss

BASEBALL: After disappointing CS Northridge loss, Bruin ballclub
looks to Cal series for turnaround

By Evan Lovett

Daily Bruin Staff

It was a pair of home runs that broke the Bruins’ back on
Wednesday at Matador Field.

With sophomore right-hander Chad Cislak making his first start
of the season, UCLA (8-11) hoped to capitalize on his early
effectiveness, shutting down Cal State Northridge for the first
three innings.

"I was a little uncomfortable, but I am making improvement,"
said Cislak.

Cislak, limited to a maximum of 80 pitches by head coach Gary
Adams, was pulled in the fifth inning despite having only allowed
two runs.

"He’s really improved from a month ago," said Adams. "But he’s
still not at the level we need him to be."

Sophomore southpaw Ryan Carter came in to finish the fifth
inning and continued into the seventh inning, where the floodgates
opened for CSUN (11-9).

Adrian Mendoza began the seventh with what Gary Adams called "a
swinging bunt" and reached first base on catcher Jason Green’s
error.

The next two hitters would walk, forcing Adams to turn to
sophomore Tyler Dersom out of the bullpen.

Dersom allowed a single to rightfielder Matt Synhorst and a home
run to junior Dan Phillips.

With the score 9-4, Adams brought in junior Dan Keller, who
would promptly allow another home run to Kevin Patrick. The
roundtripper by Patrick gave CS Northridge a 10-4 lead, which would
prove to be the ultimate score.

"We really wanted to win that game – we needed a stopper. The
seventh inning was our Waterloo," said Adams.

The Bruins were led in the offense department by first baseman
Garrett Atkins and second baseman Chase Utley. Atkins contributed
three hits and Utley hit his team-leading fifth home run of the
season.

The loss to the Matadors marked the third consecutive loss to
the Northridge ballclub and the third loss in the Bruins’ past four
games of the season.

"We need to turn it around," said Adams. "We’re right there, and
our guys can feel it."

The Bruins will face their first conference opponent in the
University of California, Berkeley this weekend, with a three-game
series at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

The first game will be today at 3 p.m. with Jon Brandt (3-1,
2.25) taking the hill for UCLA. Junior right-hander Jon Shirley
(1-1, 1.32) will start for the Golden Bears.

Comments, feedback, problems?

© 1998 ASUCLA Communications Board[Home]