This season the Bruin baseball team (29-24, 13-8 Pac-10) has come from behind to win some memorable games, which have sparked the team’s tear through the Pac-10.
There was a dramatic 15-8 victory over the University of the Pacific on March 25 in which the Bruins exploded for 14 runs in the eighth inning to overcome an 8-1 deficit. Another was on April 14 at USC when the Bruins, trailing 6-4 with two outs in the ninth inning, scored three runs en route to a 7-6 victory.
And then there was this past Sunday’s game against Washington State: the Bruins were down 4-2 heading into the eighth but scored five runs in the last two innings to win 7-5.
While the first two wins were dramatic victories, Sunday’s could prove to salvage the Bruins’ season because it saved them from being swept in two consecutive conference series. The victory also gave the team a much-needed confidence boost, as they prepare to host defending national champion Oregon State (36-16, 8-13 Pac-10) this weekend at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
“Sunday’s game was a huge win for us,” coach John Savage said. “We needed this in order to get back on the winning track. We were swept by Arizona State and lost the first two games against Washington State, but we were able to salvage the weekend with a win on Sunday. This win is huge for us heading into our series against Oregon State.”
Coming off their first conference-series defeat at the hands of the No. 7 Sun Devils, the Bruins were confident going into last weekend’s series against the Cougars that they had learned from their experience in Tempe and were mentally prepared to finish the season strong. Yet things did not go as smoothly as the Bruins would have hoped, as they dropped the first two games, and the series, to Washington State.
“We played well (Sunday), but the first two games we didn’t play our game and stay within ourselves,” second baseman Alden Carrithers said. “On Friday, we were a bit sloppy on defense, which is uncharacteristic for us. But (Sunday) we came out strong and got the win.”
Not only was Sunday’s victory crucial for the team, but the relentless fashion in which it was earned was equally important. In coming from behind to win the game, the Bruins displayed their ability to overcome adversity and stay competitive through nine innings.
“(Sunday’s) win was huge for us,” right fielder Gabe Cohen said. “We were down in the game but were able to come back and get a victory, much like we have been doing all season long. That gives us confidence going into this weekend against Oregon State. They are the defending national champs ““ everyone remembers and knows that. We are excited to play them, and everyone on the team should be excited and ready.”
The Bruins will look for a solid week of practice to build their resilience in preparation for the postseason.
“We have learned that we have to be mentally tough and prepared in order to play well and win games,” Savage said. “We learned how important it is to survive on the road. … You need to be able to handle hostile environments against tough teams.”
The Bruins can only hope that Sunday’s win is the start of a winning streak which will end in World Series glory in Omaha, Neb.