A small crease wrinkled an otherwise expected controlled start to the season – one meant to build momentum as the real measuring stick arrives.

No. 1 UCLA baseball (3-1) will face its first ranked opponent in No. 7 TCU (2-2) in a three-game weekend series at Jackie Robinson Stadium beginning Friday night.

The Bruins enter the weekend with one of the nation’s sharpest defenses, having yet to commit an error. One of just 14 teams in the country to remain error-free, the group has paired steady infield play with clean outfield execution, providing its pitching staff consistent support through the opening stretch of the season.

Junior right-handed pitcher Logan Reddemann is probable to hit the bump for his second Friday night start with the Bruins. Reddemann tossed five innings and held UC San Diego to just three earned runs in the season opener.

TCU will be without its projected Friday night starter this weekend, as right-hander Tommy LaPour is expected to miss his scheduled start against UCLA because of elbow soreness after TCU’s season opener against Vanderbilt, sources confirmed to HornedFrogBlitz on Tuesday.

Still, the Bruin faithful could be seeing some new arms on their own mound this series.

“I want to see (freshman right-hander Elai) Iwanaga. That’s definitely the guy I’d like to see,” said coach John Savage. “There’s a couple freshmen: (right-hander Hayden) George, (left-hander Mack) Edwards and (left-hander Ian) Fisher.”

The Bruin lineup has shown off its depth from top to bottom.

Junior shortstop Roch Cholowsky – a top-of-the-order hitter – has already launched three home runs this season, while junior center fielder Will Gasparino – the No. 8 hitter – has added another trio, underscoring the depth of the Bruins’ offense.

Five of nine starters are hitting above .300, fueling a team OPS of 1.016 that challenges opposing pitchers up and down the lineup.

“We’re a very talented squad this year. Our one through nine, everyone can hit and hit for power,” Gasparino said. “We’re going to have a really good team. I’ve been No. 1 in the country before, and realizing every team is coming for you, and every game is not a given – you still have to play really good baseball to win.”

The No. 1 national ranking is not the only one the Bruins boast.

Cholowsky entered the season as the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, with major league scouting reports noting his pull-side power and strong arm.

However, offensive confidence comes with heightened awareness, with the early stumble against a mid-major opponent being a reminder that bullpen consistency must match the offensive production.

A pitching staff that consists of 21 pitchers means adjusting to different roles will become the norm.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Zach Strickland has noted being a part of the adjustment, entering Westwood as a starter but beginning the year in the pen.

“Definitely a reliever routine – that’s been something I’ve had to adjust to since coming here,” Strickland said. “There are times when I’m going to need to come out of the pen throughout the season. I’m finding out what routine works. Over this first week, I was warming up (and) getting ready to go, so today it was easier.”

UCLA’s focus remains on execution and defined roles rather than rankings.

Maintaining unity will be key as the Bruins continue to mesh as a squad in the early chapters of the season.

“We want small doses of success,” Savage said. “Build confidence off today.”