Friday, 5/2/97 Bruins must sweep Bears to vie for conference
title Stanford holds two-game lead heading into weekend
By Sierra Roberts Daily Bruin Contributor This weekend, the
fourth-ranked UCLA Bruins need another sweep over the California
Golden Bears in order to stay in contention for first place in the
southern division of the Pacific Six. The Bruins (36-14-1, 15-9
Six-Pac) are currently two wins behind Stanford in the division
rankings, putting them in second place. If they are able to gain at
least one game on Stanford this weekend, UCLA will still have a
chance at first place when the Cardinal visits Jackie Robinson
Stadium next weekend. Stanford will host fifth-place Arizona this
weekend. Earlier this season the Bruins hosted a three-game series
against California (17-35, 3-24). The Bruins were victorious in all
three games, with 30 runs scored that weekend while allowing only
two runs for California. After a disappointing weekend against USC
in which the Bruins won only one game, the Bruins dropped from
second in the nation in Baseball America to fourth. Starting
left-hander Jim Parque (11-2) will not be pitching this weekend. He
is recovering from a bruised calf suffered in his brief Saturday
appearance, in which he lasted a season low of 2 1/3 innings and
was tagged for only his second loss of the season. In Parque’s
place, sophomore lefty Tom Jacquez (9-2, 2.65 ERA) will start for
the Bruins this afternoon at Evans Diamond. He has the best ERA on
the Bruin pitching staff. Senior southpaw Peter Zamora (5-2, 4.89)
will start Saturday, while Sunday’s starting pitcher is yet to be
announced. Zamora has been doing very well as of late on the mound,
getting a complete game in his start against USC last Sunday. The
Bruins hope to continue their streak of powerful hitting this
weekend. Junior shortstop Troy Glaus leads the team in home runs
with 27 so far this season. He is now only two home runs short of
tying the UCLA single-season record held by Jim Auten and Paul
Ellis. Glaus is also the Bruin season leader thus far in batting
average (.412), RBI (75), runs (81), walks (86), slugging
percentage (.907), total bases (176) and on-base percentage (.530).
And there are other guys contributing to the offense as well,
believe it or not. Senior left fielder Jon Heinrichs leads the team
in hits (86) and doubles (21). Meanwhile, junior right fielder Eric
Byrnes leads the team in stolen bases with 16.