Bruins want rain on their parade

Tuesday, February 3, 1998

Bruins want rain on their parade

BASEBALL Postponing game might grant time, turn losing streak
around

By Vytas Mazeika

Daily Bruin Staff

The No. 18 UCLA baseball team will have to wait until the last
possible second to see if they get the chance to redeem
themselves.

After losing all three games to Hawaii this weekend, weather
could determine if the Bruins (1-3) can rid themselves of their
losing streak today. If rain continues to fall at game time, the
game against Cal State Los Angeles (1-2) is likely to be
postponed.

Sophomore hurler Gabe Crecion will pitch for UCLA. This will be
his first appearance of the 1998 season. In 1997, Crecion had a 1-2
record with a 7.01 ERA.

UCLA head coach Gary Adams must be hopeful that Crecion can
provide his team a stronger outing than his starters had at
Hawaii.

Sophomore Ryan Reightley had the best outing, going six innings
and allowing only two runs. Sophomore ace Rob Henkel went five
innings allowing five runs while true-freshman Chad Cislak was
pounded, going 3.1 innings and giving up eight runs (only one
earned).

The disheartening statistic for the Bruins must be the 8.5 runs
per game the team has allowed to the opposition so far this
season.

If UCLA is to compete in the Six-Pac this season both the
defense and the pitching must step up – mainly because of the loss
of many veterans and an expected drop in offensive production.

A perfect example is the performance of true-freshman shortstop
Chase Utley in Hawaii. After a promising two of four performance on
opening day, Utley went a dismal one of 12 in Hawaii. Fellow
true-freshman Matt Pearl, one of three players vying for the
left-field-starting spot, is only two of 11 this season. Pre-season
All-America selection Eric Valent has yet to get more than a single
hit in any game this season so far.

One of the few surprises this season has been the hitting of
leadoff hitter Jack Santora. Santora, the second baseman until Nick
Theodorou’s knee injury heals, hit a home run in UCLA’s very first
at-bat – tying him for the team lead. Santora also leads the team
in total bases (9), batting average (.353) and hits (6).

But it’s still too early to determine how this team will
develop. As the pitching arms get stronger and the hitters get more
comfortable at the plate, the Bruins’ fortunes may change.

JAMIE SCANLON-JACOBS/Daily Bruin

True-freshman pitcher Chad Cislak winds up against Cal State
Dominguez Hills.