The UCLA baseball team has thus far played one of the toughest
non-conference schedules in the country ““ featuring 14 of 32
games against teams that are or have been ranked this year. Still,
the most rigorous part of the season lies ahead, as the Pac-10 once
again will prove to be one of college baseball’s most
competitive conferences.
Of the nine teams (Oregon does not field one), four have spent
considerable time in the top 25, seven have records of .500 or
better, and one of the two who did not, USC, was ranked No. 6 in
preseason play.
“I think (the conference) is more open this year than in
the past,” senior co-captain Warren Trott said.
“It’s dominated by pitchers again, but no individual
(team) stands out like in the past.”
A preseason poll of Pac-10 coaches predicted a sixth-place
finish for UCLA (16-16, 2-1), and besides USC’s forecast of a
repeat conference championship looking less likely due to poor play
and injuries, the poll has been true to form.
Perennial stalwart No. 4 Stanford (18-10, 4-2) has performed up
to its usual standards albeit with a different approach.
“Normally Stanford’s pitching is more than simply
solid: it’s exceptional,” UCLA head coach Gary Adams
said. “Their pitching is doing well this year, but not like
most years. However, hitting-wise they are a notch above everyone
else and have tremendous speed.”
Statistically speaking, though, No. 7 Arizona State represents
the most formidable offense. The Sun Devils have emerged as one of
the country’s most fearsome teams, tallying just over 10 runs
a game and consistently rolling out six starters batting .350 or
better. They also surprisingly lead the Pac-10 in ERA at 3.44,
which explains their 34-6 record.
UCLA has already taken two out of three games from both USC and
Arizona, both of whom have had stints in the top 25 during the
year. The USC games did not count as conference games, while last
weekend’s closely fought Arizona games did, giving UCLA a
solid 2-1 start to league play.
“I’m happy because we’re making progress even
if it is two steps forward and one backward,” Adams said.
“We’ve been doing a good job of advancing runners, and
that may have been the key in winning four of our last six
games.”
The final ranked team in the pre-season ahead of the Bruins, Cal
(17-13, 4-2), comes to Jackie Robinson Stadium on Friday, Saturday
and Sunday.
Cal brings a highly regarded trio of starters to Westwood
““ Matt Brown, Brian Montalbo and Kyle Christ ““ and
preseason All-American third baseman Conor Jackson. The series
presents a crucial test for the Bruins as the Bears are only a
slightly higher regarded team.
To position itself for the postseason, UCLA must establish
itself first against teams such as the Bears before it can dethrone
the conference powers ““ Arizona and Stanford.