Chris Denove hit his fifth home run of 2003 in Tuesday's loss to LBSU. |
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Baseball Falls, 5-3 to #11 Long Beach State
April 8, 2003
After leading for most of the contest, a four-run eighth inning from Long Beach State (21-11) led to UCLA's (17-19) 5-3 defeat on Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
The 49ers posted a run in the top of the second to take a very short-lived lead. Catcher Chris Denove hit his fifth homer of the season in the bottom of the inning to even the score at 1-1.
UCLA took the lead in the bottom of the third as Brett McMillan started a one-out rally after being hit by a pitch. Matt Thayer followed him with a walk before Wes Whisler drove McMillan home with a single. A double from Ryan McCarthy would bring Thayer across home plate and UCLA led 3-1 after three innings.
Neither team would get on the board again until the eighth inning. Bruin reliever Chris Cordeiro shut down the 49ers in the middle innings, allowing only two hits and striking out three in the three innings prior to the eighth. However, Long Beach State exploded for four straight hits, which included a solo pinch-hit home run from John Bowker to re-gain the lead. The homer was followed by two singles and a double from pinch hitter Brad Davis to drive in three more runs.
McMillan finished the night going two-for-two and reaching base in every at-bat. Sean Carpenter also added two hits for UCLA.
The Bruins will return to Pac-10 play this weekend when they travel to USC. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening at Dedeaux Field.