The UCLA baseball team’s 18-game losing streak has been
noteworthy for some time now, and every additional loss heaps more
attention on the situation. The Bruins (7-22, 0-6 Pac-10) have thus
gained notoriety of the kind they very much would rather not have
going into their weekend series against UC Santa Barbara. But
unfortunately for them, whether or not they right the ship and
finish the year respectably, the Bruins will likely be remembered
mainly for their ignominious streak. Spinning the streak into a
positive at this point seems to require more than just optimism.
Still, UCLA coach John Savage is trying to point to some practical,
though hard to swallow, reasons why the losing can help in the long
run. “I’m seeing a lot of things from the players in
the long run in evaluating them,” Savage said.
“I’m seeing how guys react and how they deal with
adversity. It’s an ongoing process.” Throughout
Savage’s career, he has done little else but win. That goes
for most of the players in their high school careers as well. Thus,
the adjustment to constant losing has been difficult. Tuesday,
Savage was disappointed in the team’s lack of focus against
Loyola Marymount and expressed the impression that his team was
unready to play. “If we get outplayed or out-pitched,
I’m OK with it,” Savage said. “We have to come
out Friday (against UC Santa Barbara) with much more sense of
urgency and an attitude that we’re going to win.” As in
many other areas in life, the bad times can make one that much more
grateful when the good times eventually roll around.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this,”
Savage said. “Just going through this is going to make me a
better coach.”
OFFENSIVE LOWS & HIGHS: The Bruins have scored just six runs
in the last seven games. And over the 18-game losing streak, they
have averaged just under three runs a game. This season, UCLA ranks
last in the Pac-10 in all of the major offensive categories. Still,
not all Bruins are having bad years at the plate. First baseman
Brett McMillan’s 20 runs and five home runs lead the team,
but the rest of the team has only totaled four round trippers.
Shortstop Tommy Lansdon has made a smooth transition from junior
college to the Pac-10, posting a .340 average this year, second
highest on the team. Designated hitter/pitcher Hector Ambriz has
not slowed down after a hot start, ranking ninth in the conference
in batting average at .372 and reaching base in nearly half of his
plate appearances. Left fielder Will Penniall has embraced the
lead-off spot, pacing the team with 34 hits and 10 steals.
ROTATION: Hector Ambriz (2-3), who has been battling knee
trouble of late, will reassume his Friday starting spot against the
Gauchos and will be followed by hard-luck Bryan Beck (0-6).
“We really want to get back to Ambriz and Beck, and either
Brian Schroeder or Brant Rustich Sunday,” Savage said.
“When you’re in a streak like we are, we’re
trying to get back in a routine.”
NEW ADDITION: Jermaine Curtis, a senior shortstop from Fontana,
signed a national letter of intent to play at UCLA beginning in the
fall of 2005. The right-handed hitting infielder hit .579 with 12
doubles, two triples, four home runs and 12 RBI as a junior. This
season as a senior, Curtis is currently leading his team in average
(.491) and home runs (four) and is third on the squad with 17 RBI
after 15 games. Curtis becomes the 13th player to sign an NLI under
first-year coach Savage.