The old cliché used by baseball coaches and players when
talking to the media is “We’ve got to take one game at
a time.” For the Bruins, that adage is proving to be the
exact truth. If they were to think ahead beyond their next game,
depression might sink in. With the toughest schedule in the country
and games against ranked teams nearly every week, the Bruins are
looking strictly at their next opponent because every game is a big
game against a good team. Tonight, the Bruins (5-9) will continue
to run the gauntlet as they travel down the 405 Freeway to face
Long Beach State, which is ranked No. 16 in the country by
Collegiate Baseball and sits with a 9-4 record. “We think we
can bounce back against Long Beach,” said John Savage, UCLA
head coach. “We like our pitching a lot. The schedule is not
going to get any easier, so we will need to play better.” The
Bruins have lost their last three games, all to local powerhouse
and 2004 National Champion Cal State Fullerton. During the
Bruins’ last win on Feb. 21, junior starter Brian Schroeder
pitched six shutout innings en route to his first victory of the
season. If the Bruins are to beat the Dirtbags, they will need to
get a strong performance out of Schroeder. “Our pitching
always gives us a good chance to win,” senior left fielder
Anthony Norman said. “Schroeder is a good pitcher, and we
should be in good position with him.” The pitching, however,
has not been the problem lately. The Bruin offense is averaging
only four runs per game this season. To have any kind of shot at
reaching .500 by the end of their brutal schedule, they will need
to swing the bats better. “I just think we’ve been
struggling in doing the things we need to do,” Norman said.
“We need to do well with runners in scoring position. We tend
to tense up. We’re a good ballclub, but we just need to stay
relaxed.” Norman, who started all three games over the
weekend, batted .400 with an RBI and a run scored. If the Bruins
are to succeed, they will have to see stat lines like that from
more of their hitters.
RUSTICH INJURED: Junior Brant Rustich, who has
been designated the closer this season, suffered a blister on his
finger during the game on Sunday. “He came up with a blister
on his finger,” Savage said. “We’re not sure how
serious it is, but he was unable to pitch.” Rustich has 1.50
ERA and two saves in six appearances this season. He also has 10
strikeouts in his six innings of work.
HOME COOKIN’: The Bruins have severely
trailed in attendance when compared to their local baseball rivals.
The Bruins are averaging fewer than 500 fans per game this season;
there were only 565 fans at Friday’s game at home against the
Titans. In comparison, the Titans had crowds of 2,825 and 2,488
people against the Bruins on Saturday and Sunday at home.
Today’s opponent, Long Beach State, averages 1,679 fans at
home.