As recently as March 16, junior shortstop Ryan McCarthy was
hitting in the sixth spot in the lineup. But starting March 26
against USC, McCarthy was moved to the third spot to try and
bolster a struggling UCLA offense. The move has worked as the
Bruins (15-13, 1-2 Pac-10) have scored 40 runs in the seven games
that McCarthy was moved higher in the lineup. Coach Gary Adams
decided to make the move after seeing McCarthy in batting practice.
“Ryan has been hitting the ball well during batting
practice,” Adams said. “During the games he had been
hitting the ball hard, but he was just getting unlucky.” This
past weekend against Stanford, McCarthy stood out. He batted .614
over the three-game series, slugging three home runs and driving in
eight runs.
SUSDORF INJURED: Junior right fielder Billy
Susdorf broke his kneecap in a game last month. But according to
Adams, he does not know when the injury happened. “I think it
was when he slid into third base during a game,” Adams said.
“But I’m not exactly sure when that happened.”
The injury has required Adams to use a four-man outfield. Sophomore
Anthony Norman has been rotating in and out of the lineup with
senior Chad Concolino and sophomore Jarrad Page. The only constant
in the outfield has been junior Matt Thayer.
PEPPERDINE TODAY: The Bruins face the Waves
(14-15) for the second time this season in Malibu at 2 p.m.
“Pepperdine is a good team and leading its conference,”
Adams said. “We just barely came out with a win against them
earlier in the year.” The Bruins took the first meeting of
the year on Feb. 24, 8-6. Freshman Brant Rustich got the win,
pitching 3 2/3 innings in relief. The key play of the game was a
potential double play ball that Pepperdine shortstop Nick Kleibert
botched by overthowing second base, allowing UCLA to score three
unearned runs. The Waves are streaking having won six of their last
seven. The Bruins, on the other hand, have hit a rough spell,
losing five of their last seven.