Mired in a six-game losing streak, the UCLA baseball team will
travel to Texas this weekend to take on No. 9 Texas A&M. The
three-game series will mark the first time the Bruins will travel
out of state in the season, and their match-up with the Aggies
(11-5) will be the first time the team has been pitted against a
true national power. “We’re going in with nothing to
lose,” UCLA coach John Savage said. “This is the
perfect time for this opportunity.” Hoping to find a formula
that will change their recent fortune, Savage plans to shake up the
Bruins’ starting rotation this weekend. Junior Adam Simon,
the closer for UCLA during the early part of the season, will start
on Friday, while Hector Ambriz and Brian Beck are scheduled to
pitch on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The usual Sunday
starter, Brant Rustich, started in the losses to Cal State
Fullerton and Cal State Northridge this past week. The last time
the Bruins recorded a victory was on Feb. 25 when Ambriz pitched a
complete-game shutout against Pacific. But after that win, UCLA
bats and arms have gone cold, compiling a .254 batting average and
an ERA of over 7.00. Despite their losing streak, the Bruins are
still positive about the season and are very optimistic about this
weekend. “They are a very good team,” Ambriz said.
“It’s a great college atmosphere there. Hopefully we
can start a winning streak down there. “What’s better
than ending a slump against a nationally ranked team?”
LET’S PLAY TWO MORE: UCLA has added two games to its
schedule for this season. Due to the inclement weather in Southern
California this winter, the Bruins had two games cancelled against
Utah on Feb. 19-20. To make up those games, UCLA will play at San
Diego State on April 19 and will play the University of San Diego
at Jackie Robinson Stadium on May 3.