Wildcats Gallant in Bruins No Hitter through Ten Innings

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The Bruins Pitchers James Kaprielian and David Berg combine against Arizona Pitcher Cody Hamlin and Tyger Talley to pitch a no-hitter and beat the Wildcats 1-0 in the tenth inning.

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Unfortunately I was able to experience UCLA history in person tonight: The last known no-hitter thrown against the Wildcats since New Mexico’s Jim Kremmel did it on April 17, 1970. It was also UCLA’s first no-hitter ever according to both UCLA and Arizona websites, although the Pac-12 announcer proclaimed it was the first no-hitter since 1974 when aluminum bats were allowed in the game.

Last time I visited UCLA it was to cheer on our Softball team, if you remember, it was really cold. This time I wasn’t alone, I took my daughter and a blanket which still wasn’t enough to keep me warm, but we roughed it out in UCLA’s beautiful Jackie Robinson Stadium as the Wildcats had shut out the No. 2 Bruins for 9 innings and we weren’t about to leave.

Just about this time, we got the news that our Arizona Wildcats softball team just beat the St. John Red Storm 4-2. That was great news!

Arizona Wildcats
Arizona Wildcats /

Arizona Wildcats

Going into the 10th inning, the score still 0-0, Arizona players ground out twice and strikes out once. Bottom of the 10th, the Bruins Brett Stephens gets to first, and Center Fielder Christoph Bono proceeds to third. Kevin Kramer comes up to bat and hits a sacrifice fly to center, Bono tagged third and ran home in time to beat the throw and that was game; Bruins 1 Arizona 0.

This game was a long game time-wise, but the game itself was short in that there were a lot of bunts and threats of bunts. It came down to which team could field a bunt properly and get the ball to first for the out.

One late-game play was controversial to Wildcats fans.  A throw was made to first which looked like it was in time for the out, but the referee called the runner safe. With no replay it was hard to tell, but Coach Andy Lopez decided he was going to have a chat with the first base referee.

photos are by Emily Gauci / The Daily Wildcat.

Tyger Talley took the loss for Arizona, his first of the season (now 5-1). Cody Hamlin gave up just six hits in 8.1 innings and received a standing ovation from the many Arizona fans in attendance.

UCLA’s James Kaprielian threw mostly breaking balls striking out 11 in his no-hit nine innings extending his string of scoreless innings to 23.2.

Kaprielian‘s teammate closer David Berg pitched a perfect 10th inning taking down the Wildcats in order and was credited with the win, he’s now 6-1. 

Next game will be Saturday afternoon starting at 4pm!  The game will air on Pac-12 Arizona and 1290-AM.

This time the whole family is coming, and we are bringing more blankets, extra socks.

If you live in or near Los Angeles, come join us! Maybe you can help me drown out the Bruin Fans who lead cheers at the games.

Arizona fans don’t seem to have anyone to lead them in “U-OF-A” cheers but that’s probably because there aren’t many students in the stands.  Maybe we can start a new trend to help support our team.

BEARDOWN ARIZONA BASEBALL!

Next: Arizona Wildcats Riley Moore: Secret Weapon