On a two-game winning streak for the first time in almost three
months, the UCLA baseball team will look to continue its improved
play this weekend in a home series against Oregon State.
That will be easier said than done though, as the Beavers are
ranked in the top 10 nationally in four different polls, including
No. 4 in the Baseball America poll.
Oregon State (33-8, 11-4 Pac-10) has not been known as a
traditional baseball powerhouse, but UCLA coach John Savage noted
that it is an up-and-coming program that is finally living up to
its potential.
“They have been knocking on the door for years, and this
year everything has come together. They are having an outstanding
year,” Savage said.
Taking a look at the statistics certainly verifies
Savage’s view. The Beavers have seven starters in their
lineup that hit over .300, including first baseman Andy Jenkins,
who is batting .380, and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who is
batting .435. Savage believes Ellsbury, a junior, will be a
first-round pick in the Major League Baseball Draft this June.
But Oregon State doesn’t just hit. The Beavers have the
best pitching in the conference with a 2.90 ERA. They are led by
starters Jonah Nickerson and Dallas Buck, who have ERAs
respectively of 1.17 and 2.10. Nickerson has the second-lowest ERA
in the country while Buck ranks 39th in that category.
Its bullpen is also formidable as it is led by a strong
left-right combo of right-hander Nate Fogle (4-2, 1.95 ERA, five
saves) and left-hander Kevin Gunderson (4-2, 2.83 ERA, nine
saves).
“Oregon State has Omaha-type pitching and could be a top
seed,” Savage said, referring to the site of the College
World Series.
But despite all of those challenges for the Bruins (11-30,
1-11), Savage believes, as he has all season, that UCLA must
concentrate on improving its own play.
“Our focus is on ourselves, we can’t worry what the
other team is going to do,” Savage said.
UCLA has settled on a lineup for the first time all year the
last couple of weeks, and a lot of that can be credited to right
fielder Chris Jensen, who is batting an astounding .460 (23 for 50)
at the No. 3 spot in the order.
That effectiveness will be needed against the strength of the
Beavers’ pitching staff. If the lineup falters, it may be a
long weekend for the Bruins and a setback for a team that seems to
finally be showing signs of coming around.