NCAA BASEBALL

Randall Shelley’s looping single with one out in the bottom of the ninth capped a three-run rally that gave UCLA a 13-12 victory over Delaware in an NCAA regional at Oklahoma City.

The Bruins (36-24) survived six errors and shaky pitching to advance to a winners’ bracket game today against either Oklahoma or Oral Roberts. Heavy rain and lightning hit the area and the game was suspended with Oklahoma leading, 2-1, in the top of the sixth.

In a game full of defensive blunders, it was Delaware that opened the door for the Bruins in the ninth. Center fielder Casey Fahy lost Bill Scott’s fly ball in the sun and Chase Utley scored to cut the Blue Hens’ lead to 12-11.

Forrest Johnson followed with a double to drive in Scott. After an intentional walk to pinch-hitter Adam Berry, Charles Merricks singled to load the bases.

Shelley then hit a fly ball over the drawn-in infield.

“Good teams take advantage of mistakes and opportunities,” UCLA Coach Gary Adams said. “And we did that today. The baseball gods were with us.”

First baseman Garrett Atkins hit for the cycle, and it was his solo home run in the sixth that sparked UCLA’s rally. One out later, Johnson hit his team-leading 22nd homer to cut Delaware’s lead to 12-9. In the seventh, Utley drove in Josh Canales.

Delaware (37-19) scored five runs to break a 7-7 tie in the top of the sixth. UCLA starter Rob Henkel was pulled after walking the first two batters.