April 9, 2004

Box Score

TUCSON, Ariz.- UCLA third baseman Preston Griffin made a fine defensive effort on a ground ball by Arizona's Jason Donald to force out Trevor Crowe with the bases loaded and two outs to seal a 4-3 Bruin win over the Wildcats at Kindall Field on Friday.

Arizona's third straight loss dropped it to 15-14-1 overall and to 4-4 in the Pac-10. UCLA improved to 18-13 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

After a strikeout by Jordan Brown to lead off the ninth, the Wildcats rallied to load the bases on a pair of singles by Brad Boyer and Crowe and a walk to John Hardy.

With one down in the inning, the Wildcats needed just a sacrifice fly to score the speedy Boyer from third. However, pinch hitter Zach Bies' fly ball to center field was caught too shallow by UCLA's Josh Roenicke to allow the tying run to come home.

Donald followed with a hard hit ball to Griffin at third. The Bruin senior played the grounder off his chest, collected it and narrowly beat the hard charging Crowe to the third base bag for the final out in the game.

The final play preserved a impressive outing by UCLA's Casey Janssen. The right-hander (6-2) gave up just three runs, only one earned, on three hits in 7 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked one for his team-leading sixth win of the year.

Aided by Griffin's play at third, reliever Adam Simon tallied his third save of the season after a third of an inning on the mound.

Arizona's Kevin Guyette (4-4) was charged with the loss despite being victimized by two errors in the game. Guyette tossed UA's third complete game loss of the season, giving up four runs, two earned, on eight hits with six strikeouts and two walks.

The Wildcats will attempt to avoid the three-game sweep in the series finale on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm.