As far as midseason gut checks go, No. 18 USC will give UCLA a
healthy assessment of where it stands over the next three
games.
The Trojans (8-8) come to Jackie Robinson Stadium this weekend
to take on a Bruin team that last weekend beat two ranked
opponents, but is still reeling from a 9-0 loss Tuesday to Loyola
Marymount.
The Trojans not only pose a problem because of their superior
ranking, but because they come to Westwood with a mental edge. USC
has defeated the Bruins (10-11) 11 straight games and controls the
all-time series 64-104.
“It’s another top team and they’re throwing
Reyes who was predicted to be Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year,”
head coach Gary Adams said. “We’re going to have to
battle a lot better than we are.”
“Since I’ve been here we’ve not pitched
particularly well against them,” said pitching coach Gary
Adcock, who is in his third season with the team. “USC is so
good at magnifying mistakes, and they do a great job of making
small innings into big ones. We’re not worried about shutting
them down, but just controlling the big innings.”
Slowing down the Trojan offense will be the task of starters
Mike Kunes today, Casey Janssen on Saturday, and Wes Whisler on
Sunday.
Kunes is coming off of Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week honors and
Janssen has two straight wins in which he only allowed two runs in
13 innings. Whisler is still trying to regain the form that made
him arguably the team’s best pitcher last year. All three
will be severely tested against a potent Trojan lineup led by
freshman Jeff Clement’s eight home runs, second in the
Pac-10.
“The middle of their lineup is so formidable,”
Adcock said. “Clement would have been a first-round pick if
he had come out last year and (Michael) Moon is also one of the
best hitters in the league.”
After 21 games, UCLA has demonstrated an ability to take down
strong opponents such as Cal State Northridge, No. 23 Tulane, and
defending national champions No. 9 Texas. But, it has also played
listlessly against lesser opponents Hawaii, UC Santa Barbara, and
Loyola Marymount. The prime culprit thus far has been an offense
that has yet to produce one through nine. The young Bruin squad
desperately seeks consistency before the Pac-10 season begins March
28.
“We need to learn how to play business as usual every
game,” Adams said. “This team needs to get into the
habit of playing good baseball every game.”