UCLA Stays Alive With 17-7 Victory

UCLA lost to top-seeded Florida, 4-3, then routed second-seeded Oklahoma, 17-7, Saturday night in an elimination game to advance to today’s championship round of an NCAA Division I regional at SBC Brickyard Ballpark in Oklahoma City.

The third-seeded Bruins, who beat the Sooners for the second day in a row, must defeat Florida twice to advance to next weekend’s super-regional. Oklahoma is 38-24.

UCLA (35-28) took control by scoring eight runs in the bottom of the second inning, sending 13 men to the plate.

Preston Griffin and Matt Thayer started the inning with walks, and they both scored on a double by Chris Denove. After Mike Svetlic singled to score Denove, Jarrad Page walked. With two out, Ryan McCarthy his 14th homer of the season, making the score 6-1.

Wes Whisler struck out but reached on a passed ball. Griffin doubled him to third and Denove drove them in with a single. Denove and McCarthy each had three hits and four RBIs.

Ben Harrison hit a two-run homer, his 17th of the season, and Connor Falkenbach (10-6) pitched a complete game in Florida’s victory over the Bruins. Florida is 42-20.

In the first game of the day, David Purcey pitched a five-hitter and struck out nine as the Sooners eliminated Central Connecticut State, 6-1.