Match against San Diego St. may get UCLA back on track

By Adam Karon
Daily Bruin Staff

The Bruins are exploring the California coast this week. After a
series in northern California against Stanford, UCLA travels south
to face the San Diego State Aztecs tonight at Tony Gwynn Stadium
before returning to Los Angeles to face Washington this
weekend.

For the Bruins the game provides an opportunity to get back on
track after a disappointing weekend against the Cardinal. UCLA was
blown out in two games after taking the first in the series against
the nation’s No. 1 team.

“The game is important because we need to rebound from the
losses and get on track for Washington,” sophomore outfielder
Christian Lewis said.

Midweek games such as tonight’s allow the Bruins a chance
to recover in time for an important Pac-10 series.

“If we win tomorrow it’ll get us ready for
Washington,” junior third baseman Randall Shelley said.
“San Diego State is kind of preparing us for the Pac-10 games
this weekend.”

The Bruins must take the Aztecs seriously, even though the game
seems like a tune-up for the weekend series against Washington.

San Diego State is 21-14 coming off a series against Air Force
in which they took two of three from the Falcons. The Aztecs have
averaged over 11 runs in their last three games dating back to a
2-1 defeat in 10 innings against USC ace Rik Currier.

They have solid pitching and have faced nationally regarded
teams in Miami, USC and Oklahoma State.

“They have some good pitchers who throw hard, which is
actually good for us,” senior centerfielder Matt Pearl
said.

Bruin bats have been up to the challenge of late, banging out
eight hits and five runs against Stanford ace Jeremy Guthrie last
Friday. The team is led by senior designated hitter Brian Baron,
who has 67 hits and just 8 strikeouts this year. Senior shortstop
Josh Canales is hitting .355, and first baseman Eric Reece leads
the team with 30 RBIs.

“We’re playing good baseball,” Shelley said.
“We played good on Friday. We need to win our midweek
games.”

The emphasis on midweek games is evident despite the fact that
they are not included in conference standings.  Pearl says the
games are important because the NCAA tournament committee looks at
each when deciding which teams will appear in playoffs.

“We basically know it’s as important to win as many
games as possible, no matter who we’re playing,” he
said. “We want to get as many wins as we can.”

Senior righthander Paul Diaz will get the start for the Bruins.
He sports a 3.52 ERA and has walked just four batters this
year. Last week Diaz shut down No. 19 Pepperdine, giving up
just two runs in five innings of work.

“He’s a competitor,” Pearl said of the
fifth-year senior. “He mixes it up pretty well, throws
strikes and goes after guys. He’s a really smart pitcher.
 He did an outstanding job last week, and we’re looking
for more of the same.”

A strong showing against the Aztecs by Diaz and the rest of the
Bruins will help UCLA complete a successful survey of the
California coast, moving the team one step closer toward the
playoffs.