After emotionally draining defeats at the hands of Cal and USC,
the UCLA baseball team is weary and deflated. To try to snap out of
their Pac-10 woes, the Bruins will have the arduous task of
traveling to Tempe, Ariz., to face the No. 6 Sun Devils (38-7, 6-3
Pac-10).
According to Bruin head coach Gary Adams, the Sun Devils will be
one of the best teams UCLA will face all year.
“They’re good on the mound, got a good closer, got
speed, power, and good defense. They are a doggone all around good
team,” Adams said.
After falling to No. 2 Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday ““
the UCLA’s seventh straight loss ““ the team was visibly
upset. Their lackluster play reflected their downtrodden attitude.
Adams acknowledges the team’s state of affairs, but remains
confident that his ballplayers will find a way out of their
rut.
“I would be disappointed if the guys weren’t showing
emotion and felt fine about what has happened,” Adams
said.
The challenge in front of the Bruins (17-23, 3-6) is formidable
indeed. With the hottest hitting, and best pitching squad in the
conference, Arizona State leads the Pac-10 in batting average
(.345), on base percentage (.452), total runs (446), hits, total
bases, and team ERA (3.32).
“They are an elite college team,” Adams said,
“I’ve spent a day going over them and I see no
Achilles’ heels.”
The series may also feature a battle between two brothers. Bruin
third baseman Brandon Averill will have to face his younger brother
Erik, a Sun Devil currently tied for the league lead in wins with
seven and second overall in ERA at 2.75. The tall left-hander is
second only to teammate Jered Liebeck, who is not listed in the
rotation for this series.