College World Series Final Game 1: UCLA Defeats Mississippi State 3-1

Jun 24, 2013; Omaha, NE, USA; UCLA Bruins pitcher Zack Weiss (32) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning in game 1 of the College World Series finals against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Dave Weaver-USA TODAY Sports /

It was a tight game all the way through the ninth, but UCLA was able to take a 1-0 lead in the three game series.

ULCA proved they were here to win it in the top of the first, Pat Valaika singled to center scoring Kevin Kramer who reached base after a throwing error by pitcher Trevor Fitts.

UCLA scored again in the top of the fourth, when E Filla singled to right, scoring Brenton Allen and Brian Carroll who were on second and third. UCLA had a 3-0 lead.

But at the bottom of the fourth Miss State finally put themselves on the board. Alex Detz singled to left, Brett Pirtle singled to center, and then Wes Rea was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. C.T. Bradford then walked, bringing in one run. Trey Porter then lined out to right, ending the inning and leaving the bases loaded. 3-1 UCLA lead.

They score stayed that way for the rest of the game. In the bottom of the eighth they had a base runner on first, until grounding into a double play and ending the inning. And in the ninth they had runners on first and second with one out but could not bring them in.

While Miss State’s starting pitcher Trevor Fitts wasn’t dominant ( 1.1 innings pitched, three hits, one earned run, three strike outs), reliever Chad Girodo was. Girodo pitched the remaining eight innings, allowing only three hits, two runs, and striking out nine.

While UCLA got the win, they still went through four pitchers. Starting pitcher Adam Plutko went six innings, allowing only four hits, one earned run, and two strikeouts. From then on it was James Kaprielian (one inning, one walk in three batters faced), Zack Weiss (.1 innings, two batters faced) and David Berg (.2 innings, one batter faced) on the mound. All four pitchers were able to contain State and keep them from scoring.

Despite the various pitching changes, Miss State and their “Bench Mobb” just weren’t able to get anything going against UCLA. In their first three innings on offense the side was retired. They were only able to manage one run when the bases were loaded in the fourth. They grounded into a few doubles plays eliminating runners in scoring position when they needed them the most.

They mounted a slight comeback in the ninth, when Bradford and Frost singled to left putting runners on second and first with one out. Ammirati then flied out to center, runners could not advance, now making it two outs. Pinch hitter Robson then grounded out to the pitcher, ending the game 3-1 UCLA win.