The season thus far for the UCLA baseball team has been one of mounting frustration, founded for the most part upon a lack of execution and bad luck.
Tonight, the Bruins seek a morale-building win looking to prove that their current six-game losing streak is not indicative of the team’s capabilities.
UCLA returns home to Jackie Robinson Stadium for a two-game set. First up, the Bruins (2-6) will oppose the No. 11 Pepperdine Waves (5-2) in their first meeting of the season tonight at 6 p.m.
UCLA is looking to end a six-game skid that dates back to the first weekend of the season, when they lost the series-ending game to UC Davis in extra innings.
The Bruins, who were ranked at No. 9 last week, have since dropped from the rankings.
After suffering three disappointing losses in Texas during the Houston College Classic to three top-10 teams, UCLA will resume play having acquired some perspective on their approach to the game.
The unsatisfactory outcome of the Bruins’ weekend in Houston is attributed primarily to mental defensive errors and the offense’s inability to get batters around the bases. Tonight’s matchup will aim to provide a forum for improvement in those facets of the game.
“(Tonight) we’re going to take on Pepperdine with a fresh outlook and play our game,” coach John Savage said.
The team did not practice Monday. After the Bruins complete their two midweek games at home, they will travel on Thursday to Norman, Okla. to take on the Sooners in a three-game series. Savage said that the team needed a day to mentally relax and gear up for the busy week ahead. The Bruins will play 10 games over the next 13 days.
Sophomore left-hander Matt Grace will start on the hill for the Bruins tonight. Grace made his first appearance of the season last week versus UC Santa Barbara, in which he took his first career loss. He allowed six runs, five of which were earned and five hits in 4.1 innings. He also recorded two strikeouts and two walks. He also made 12 pitches in relief in Friday night’s contest against Rice.
Savage said he was impressed with the pitcher’s performance, as he typically entertains the role of reliever rather than starter.
“As a guy coming out of the bullpen, (Grace) did a great job starting for us and staying in the game,” Savage said.
The Waves will start sophomore left-hander Matt Bywater. In his rookie season, Bywater finished with a 7-3 record in 16 appearances, 14 of which were starts. He also led the Waves with a .700 winning percentage.
Last season, the Bruins and the Waves split their series 1-1, the home team earning the win in each decision.
Pepperdine enters the tonight’s game following a 2-1 series win over UC Davis. The Waves played a doubleheader on Saturday, earning a win in the morning but dropping the afternoon contest.
Despite the errant play that has characterized the big picture of Bruin play as of late, there has been some positives for the Bruins. Junior infielder Casey Haerther has been swinging a hot bat for the Bruins, going 8-for-12 on the weekend. He enters tonight’s game looking to hit in his 20th consecutive game dating back to last season.
Freshman catcher Steve Rodriguez went 3-for-5 versus Rice on Friday night, and senior second baseman Eddie Murray went 3-for-4 in the same contest.