Los Angeles, CA – The No. 14 UCLA baseball team jumped all over USC’s starting pitcher Kyle Hurt in the first inning, scoring five runs.
UCLA went on to batter USC, 16-1, in the series opener at Jackie Robinson Stadium Friday night.
With a 7-1 lead in the fifth inning, UCLA’s freshman infielder Kevin Kendall hit a three-run home run just over the left field fence to give the Bruins a commanding 11-1 lead.
The Bruins starting pitcher Jake Byrd had a strong outing, throwing seven innings and only allowing one run on seven hits.
After back-to-back singles by Jeremy Ydens and Kendall, sophomore Chase Strumpf continued his hot hitting with an RBI double in the first inning.
Jack Stronach hit a line drive off the first baseman’s glove, scoring Strumpf and Daniel Amaral laced a double to score Stronach. A sacrifice fly by Ryan Kreidler gave UCLA a 5-0 lead in the first inning.
Hurt allowed two more runs in the second inning before settling down and throwing a scoreless third and fourth inning. The freshman allowed 7 runs on eight hits before being pulled in the fifth inning.
The series continues on Saturday at 4 p.m. as the crosstown rivals will meet in game No. 2 at Jackie Robinson Stadium. UCLA freshman pitcher Zach Pettway will take the mound on Saturday.
