An outstanding display of pitching was ruined in the 8th inning when Winthrop's Phil Carey, playing 2B, slipped a little on the dew-soaked field, causing a harmless pop fly to be dropped. Thus, the Bruins' Ryan Penniall scored all the way from second base, supplying the winning run.

But it was a real gas to see Winthrop's Alex Wilson in person. You can read all the press you want and listen to scout after scout expound his virtues, but it's totally different sitting at field level and seeing his mid-90s mph heat in person. Just to hear the whiz of the ball and the thud of the catcher's mitt was awesome. It was great to see in person.

Wilson lasted 5.2 innings, giving up six hits, striking out five and walking three. To be honest, the "passed ball" that allowed UCLA's first run was a good bit Wilson's fault. That was a wicked-high throw that catcher John Murrian couldn't quite handle.

I was extremely impressed with LF Billy Froehlich, a Birmingham-Southern transfer, who went 0-for-4. But three of his outs were giant shots that landed at the base of the wall. Because of the thick, cold air, those shots stayed in the stadium. Any day game, those three shots would've been home runs.

Tough night for the Eagles. They pitched very well. Wilson combined with Ryan Mullins to hold the hot Bruin bats to just seven hits and two measley runs. But UCLA had enough to pull out the win.