The Bruins are poised to win their third straight midweek game
tonight when they take on Pepperdine in Malibu, and that would be
all well and good if it were the middle of March.
But alas, tonight’s game is UCLA’s last midweek
contest, and now that they’re four games below .500, the
Bruins’ nine midweek losses to start the season are looming
far larger than their two consecutive midweek victories over the
last 14 two weeks.
Seven games remain in the season, and after losing two of three
to Washington this past weekend, the Bruins (24-28) must win a
minimum of six games to stay in playoff contention. Freshman Hector
Ambriz (0-5, 6.64 ERA) will try to get things started against the
Waves (34-18), who clinched at least a tie of the West Coast
Conference title on Sunday with a 15-4 win over Saint
Mary’s.
Pepperdine will counter with James Johnson (3-1, 5.59), who is
also a freshman. It will be the only meeting of the year between
the two schools, which have played at least twice per season over
the last four years.
Ңbull;Ӣbull;Ӣbull;
Junior pitcher Casey Janssen was named Pac-10 Pitcher of the
Week after posting 11 strikeouts in a 5-4 win over Washington on
Friday night. Janssen, who allowed just one walk and five hits in
seven innings, leads the Bruins in strikeouts with 67.