Baseball to begin crucial series
Freshman pitcher Gerrit Cole will take on No. 5 Cal State Fullerton tonight.
By Sara Salam
May 14, 2009 9:58 p.m.
In 2007, it was game two of the Super Regionals.
In 2008, it was the final game of the Fullerton Regional.
In each instance, the UCLA baseball team’s postseason was put to an end, and Cal State Fullerton assumed responsibility.
Tonight, the Bruins (25-24, 14-10 Pac-10) open a three-game series versus the No. 5 Titans (36-13, 14-7 Big West) at Goodwin Field in Fullerton. The final two games of the series will be played at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.
Though the recent history between the two teams suggests a somewhat contentious rivalry, the Bruins’ attention is focused on the fundamentals of the sport, not exclusively on the opponent.
“It’s about playing the game,” coach John Savage said. “Our main focus needs to be on every pitch.”
UCLA’s Friday-night starter, freshman right-hander Gerrit Cole, will make his first return to Orange County in tonight’s game since arriving in Westwood. Right-handers Trevor Bauer and Charles Brewer will, as usual, round out the weekend rotation at home.
Cole, a product of Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, has logged a 3.34 ERA and 93 strikeouts over the course of the season. He has also held his opponents’ batting average to .189.
Savage said the key for UCLA in this series is establishing itself early in the weekend. For that to happen, a solid start from Cole is crucial.
“I think we really need to make sure that he controls his aggressiveness, his emotion, and that he pitches like himself and doesn’t try to do too much,” Savage said.
Also returning to his old stomping grounds is assistant coach Rick Vanderhook. An assistant with Cal State Fullerton for 21 years, Vanderhook made the trip to Omaha, Neb., 10 times with the Titans and helped the program earn two College World Series championships.
“I know there’s going to be a lot of emotion for him, too,” Savage said. “But he’ll be fine, he’s a professional.”
Heading into the weekend, the Bruins rank No. 84 in the Ratings Percentage Index. With two weekend series and one midweek game to go, all against top-five programs, UCLA cannot afford an untimely loss.
On Tuesday night, the Bruins handily defeated the visiting Long Beach State Dirtbags 15-2 in a promising show of offensive execution and reliable pitching.
“It gives us a lot of momentum going into the last games of the season,” junior right-hander Garett Claypool said. “It’s a big confidence booster.”
Despite the pressing implications that the final seven games carry, UCLA remains sangfroid in its efforts to salvage its season. Senior catcher Gino Aielli said that the Bruins need to be confident in their ability to win and tailor the competition to their playing style.
“You can’t go anywhere without confidence,” Aielli said.
