University of Arizona Athletics

LOS ANGELES, Calif.- The Arizona baseball team dropped a close 3-2 decision to UCLA in its Pac-10 Conference opening game Friday. The Bruins scored a one-out run in the bottom of the ninth inning off reliever Anthony Sulser to steal the victory. The loss drops the Cats to 14-11 on the season and 0-1 in conference play while the Bruins improve to 13-5 overall and 1- 0 in the conference.

Despite the loss, senior Ernie Durazo entered his name in the Arizona history books with a school record tying 28 straight games with a hit. Durazo, who came into the game with a .100 lifetime batting average (2-for-20) against the Bruins, got his historic hit in his final at bat of the game with an eighth inning single to center.

Facing one of the best pitchers in the nation, UCLA ace Josh Karp, and 0-for-3 in the game, the Tucson native worked the count to 3-2 before lining his single to center to tie former Wildcat Jack Daugherty for the record.

Freshman Marc Kaiser was impressive on the mound for the Cats. The first-year hurler matched Karp pitch for pitch, tossing eight strong innings while surrendering two runs, only one of which was earned. He struck out four and walked only one while stranding 10 Bruin runners in the no-decision effort. UCLA's Doug Silva picked up his second victory in relief.

Offensively, Erik Torres led Arizona with a 3-for-4 effort and a run scored on the evening. The two schools will meet again tomorrow at 1 p.m. PST for the second game of the three game set.