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UCLA hopes to keep ball rolling against Irvine

By Blair Angulo

April 9, 2007 9:51 p.m.

The Bruins are playing their best baseball of the season, and it could not have come at a better time. UCLA plays host to 17th-ranked UC Irvine tonight at Jackie Robinson Stadium, before meeting USC at Dedeaux Field for a weekend series beginning on Friday night.

Over the weekend, the Bruins (15-15, 5-1 Pac-10) secured a series win against the Washington Huskies by winning the first two matchups, and have won seven of their last eight games overall. Tonight’s affair against the Anteaters (23-8-1, 4-2 Big West) marks the beginning of a string of weeks with Tuesday games for the Bruins.

“We’re looking forward to playing (tonight). We would like to get on that schedule. We play on every Tuesday from here on out. We play the same way regardless of whom we play,” UCLA coach John Savage said. “We are looking forward to … Irvine and then getting back into conference with USC.”

Sitting in second place in the Pac-10 standings, UCLA hopes to stay at the high level at which it has been playing recently.

The strides have been coming from both the Bruins’ arms and bats. Anchoring the rotation thus far has been senior right-handed pitcher Tyson Brummett. The ace of the staff has won five games, has an ERA just above three, and has tossed three complete games. It certainly helps the Bruins to have him starting the first game of pivotal matchups to begin a series with momentum.

“It’s good. When you can always go out and get a win the first night, it can carry over,” Brummett said.

On the offensive side, UCLA’s bats have been ripping the leather off the ball ever since conference play began. Both starting middle infielders, shortstop Brandon Crawford and second baseman Alden Carrithers, are hitting above .400 in conference play.

“Guys are swinging the bats, guys are getting on base. The top of the order shows that,” Savage said.

Adding to the impressive top of the order has been a consistent presence at the heart of the order, one that did not exist earlier in the season. Outfielder Gabe Cohen and first baseman Cody Decker have been lights out at the plate and have taken advantage of the runners they inherit when they step up to bat. Decker has hit .360, with four home runs and 14 runs batted in since conference play began two weekends ago in Palo Alto.

“I think, really, just focusing from at-bat to at-bat instead of focusing so much on overall games,” Decker said. “Not worrying about going 1-for-4 or 2-for-3. Just coming up to bat each time with the mind-set that I’m going to hit the ball.”

The Bruins will look to continue their hot streak and to play well, starting tonight against ranked opponent UC Irvine.

With reports from Andrew Howard, Bruin Sports contributor.

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