Heading into this weekend’s series with East Carolina (2-1, 0-0 C-USA), the No. 15 Bruins (3-4, 0-0 Pac-10) look to stress three important aspects of the game: strong pitching, solid defense and quality at bats.
So far in the young season, the Bruins have had some strong pitching, solid defense and timely hitting, yet they have been unable to have it all in one game. Coach John Savage said the team needs to focus on these things every game.
“It’s about playing hard for nine innings,” Savage said. “It’s about establishing ourselves on the mound, playing solid defense, and then giving ourselves quality at bats. Hopefully on the offensive end we put enough quality at bats together to put pressure on the defense.”
The Bruins’ pitching and defense have been their strong suits and helped them come through with some tough early-season wins.
One of main reasons for the solid pitching has been the success of Friday-night starter Tyson Brummett. The senior has enjoyed some tremendous success early on this season, compiling a 1-1 record, a 1.15 ERA and an impressive 14 strikeouts.
“He’s been borderline sensational,” Savage said. “I think that he has definitely stepped up to be our Friday guy and is leading us into the weekend, putting us in a position to win every time.”
The Utah native will be crucial to the Bruins’ success this weekend against a tough East Carolina team.
“I just need to continue what I have been doing, getting ahead of hitters in the count, using my four pitches effectively, and not overthinking on the mound,” Brummett said.
While the Bruins’ pitching has been solid, the defense has been just as solid if not more so. The Bruins have compiled an impressive .977 percent fielding percentage over the course of seven games.
“I think that our team really prides itself with our pitching and defense,” sophomore catcher Ryan Babineau said. “I think that playing defense like we are is giving us an opportunity to be successful and win ball games.”
This weekend against the Pirates, the Bruins look to find their rhythm on the offensive end of the ball. The Bruins have struggled this season driving in runners and taking advantage of opportunities on offense.
Savage and the players feel that the cause of their early-season struggles at the plate is hitters putting an immense amount of pressure upon themselves in key RBI situations.
“I think some guys are trying to get out of their plan and get a little big,” Babineau said. “They are changing their swing with men in scoring position as opposed to when no one is on base. We just need to stay within ourselves and get a good pitch to hit.”
NOTES: Freshman pitcher Charles Brewer, who has been out with an illness, has been cleared to do light stretches and band work but has yet to be cleared to begin throwing. Savage is optimistic that Brewer will be healthy enough to pitch in the Fullerton series next week, and is confident that he will be ready to pitch in the series against Ole Miss.