On Second Thought, Bruins Beat USC on Hit by Ammirato in 13th

A two-run by single by freshman Zak Ammirato in the 13th inning gave UCLA a 6-4 victory over USC on Wednesday at Jackie Robinson Stadium in the resumption of a game protested by USC.

USC had protested UCLA’s 4-3 victory in 11 innings on Saturday to the Pacific 10 Conference because of an illegal substitution. UCLA’s Tim Kubinski, who had pitched the first 10 innings, was replaced in the 11th and became designated hitter. Later in the 11th, he re-entered the game as first baseman, a rule violation.

Usually, games are replayed or continued only if the outcome can have a bearing on the conference championship or automatic berth in the playoffs.

Arizona State has won the conference title and automatic berth. Arizona and UCLA are almost assured of at-large bids. The Pac-10, however, ordered the game continued Wednesday from the point of the protest.

UCLA (32-20, 15-12) claimed the ruling was made to improve the chances of USC (29-27, 15-15) gaining an at-large berth, thereby giving the conference another postseason representative.

Thomas C. Hansen, Pac-10 commissioner, said the game was continued because it could have an impact on the standings, especially if UCLA lost and was swept in its final three-game series at Stanford this weekend.

Hansen said the ruling was not made to aid USC or the conference.

USC tied the score, 4-4, in the 11th inning Wednesday on a two-out single by Lionel Hastings.