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baseball, Bruin Nation, Bruins, College Baseball, college softball, College World Series, NCAA, Pac-12 Conference, softball, UCLA, UCLA Baseball, UCLA Bruins, UCLA Softball, University of California Los Angeles, Westwood, Women's College World Series
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A PEEK AT THE TWO DIAMOND-BASED SPORTS IN WESTWOOD THAT ARE GOING FOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – AND WHAT I THINK THEIR CHANCES ARE
UCLA has a very good chance to be the capital of baseball/softball in the next three weeks.
On one hand, the Bruin baseball team has had an absolute dream season to this point, what with them…
- Being the top-ranked team in the nation for eleven straight weeks
- Being the Pac-12 champions for the first time since 2015
- Setting the team record for overall regular season wins (47) and conference wins (24)
- Having won every series over their opponents
- Having the nation’s best earned run average at 2.59
- Leading the country with a program-record 11 shutouts
- Being picked as the number one overall seed in the NCAA playoffs
- Are currently on a ten-game winning streak
In the other corner is a second-seeded and ranked UCLA softball team that, starting with today’s contest vs. Minnesota,
Which by the way, is scheduled to start later on today as of this writing,
- Is in the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, OK for the fifth consecutive year and for 29th time – most in the country
- Will be going for their 13th national championship (and first since 2010) – again, most in the country
- Are the Pac-12 (co) Champions for the tenth time and the first since 2009
- Has the USA Softball Player of the year, Rachel Garcia, for the second year in a row
- Has the second highest team batting average (.342) and earned run average (1.39) in the nation
Here’s the official tale of the tape regarding these teams that have honored Bruin Nation with their play this spring to this point…
Julie Rodriquez (#5), Danae Blodgett (#22), and other Bruin softballers celebrating after a game. Photo courtesy of latimes.com
UCLA SOFTBALL (51-6 overall, 23-4 and first place in the Pac-12 Conference)
Key Hitters:
- Kelli Godin, LF – .446 average, 0 HR, 13 RBI, 23 stolen bases
- Briana Perez, SS – .397 average, 5 HR, 41 RBI, 21 stolen bases
- Bubba Nickles, CF – .395 average, 16 HR, 69 RBI
- Taylor Pack, 1B – .380 average, 12 HR, 48 RBI
- Aaliyah Jordan, RF – .327 average, 10 HR, 55 RBI
- Rachel Garcia, P/1B – .344 average, 9 HR, 49 RBI
Key Pitchers:
- Rachel Garcia: 24-1, 1.01 ERA, 253 strikeouts
- Megan Faraimo: 16-4, 1.42 ERA, 143 strikeouts
- Holly Azevedo: 11-1, 2.07 ERA
Last Game: Beat James Madison, 7-2, to win the NCAA Los Angeles Super Regional on May 25
Next Game: Today vs Minnesota at Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, OK
A nice shot of the Bruin baseball team; I’m so still planning on getting on of those jerseys very soon! Photo courtesy of uclabruins.com
UCLA BASEBALL (47-8, 24-5 and first place in the Pac-12 Conference)
Key Hitters:
- Garrett Mitchell, CF – .360 average, 6 HR, 38 RBI, 17 stolen bases
- Jack Stronach, LF – .331, 2 HR, 31 RBI
- Michael Toglia, 1B – .315 average, 14 HR, 56 RBI
- Ryan Kreidler, SS – .314 average, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 10 stolen bases
- Jake Pries, DH – .289 average, 9 HR, 35 RBI
- Chase Strumpf, 2B – .284 average, 7 HR, 38 RBI
Key Pitchers:
- Ryan Garcia (Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year): 9-0, 1.42 ERA, 101 strikeouts
- Jack Ralston: 11-0, 2.43 ERA
- Holden Powell: 3-3, 2.03 ERA, 16 saves
Last Game: Beat Oregon, 6-5, on May 24
Next Game: vs Omaha in NCAA Los Angeles Regional at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Friday, May 31
OK, HERE IT IS – What I think UCLA’s chances are for the national championship in baseball, softball, or both
It’s been an incredible baseball and softball season in Westwood; only a fool would question that.
It’s been a good time to be a Bruin, particularly if such Bruin is a fan of those teams that pitch, catch, throw, and hit a round ball on a diamond-shaped field.
But here is something that I strongly believe:
You know what all those accolades that the UCLA baseball and softball teams have been collecting – the wins, the conference titles, the player of the year awards, the excellent numbers that have been put up – will mean if they are not the ones in the dog pile celebrating after winning the national championship in Oklahoma City (for softball) and Omaha, NE (for baseball)?
As the public address announcer and the student section used to say during halftime of basketball games when describing what the sure shot contestant will win of he/she couldn’t even make a lay-up…
Absolutely nothing!
In other words, all of their success that has been enjoyed all year won’t mean a d**n thing if they don’t win the NCAA championship.
That’s why while I’ve been glad at the baseball and softball team’s exploits, I haven’t been overly excited.
And I won’t be until I see that the players in the championship dog pile are wearing blue and gold with those four letters on their jerseys.
Michael Toglia (#7) being congratulated by his teammates after hitting a walk-off home run earlier this season. Photo courtesy of ncaa.com
As for my predictions…
BASEBALL: Everything’s in place and the stars are all aligned for coach John Savage’s team to make a deep run to and in the College World Series in Omaha.
However, I remember a few years ago UCLA being a number one overall seed and hosting a regional, with everyone expecting a trip to Omaha,
And losing to Maryland in what is probably the biggest disappointment in Bruin baseball history.
To avoid that scenario again, those Bruins must handle their business and perform to expectations; execute with no slumps.
If they can do that, I see their dog pile chances in Omaha as being pretty good.
SOFTBALL: Much like their Bruin baseball brothers, expectations have been sky-high for Kelly Inouye-Perez’s team.
And for the most part, they have met those expectations.
As they get ready to face Minnesota at Hall of Fame Stadium in roughly five minutes as of this writing,
Unlike in past years, UCLA has some depth in their pitching staff outside of Rachel Garcia; their lack of such was their downfall as Florida State beat the Bruins twice due to their familiarity with Garcia, who due to such lack of depth in the pitching circle was forced to pitch both games.
Which is why if UCLA is to win their first natty in nine years, the key factors are the other pitchers, Megan Faraimo and Holly Azevedo.
They need to have GREAT performances in OKC in order for Inouye-Perez to not have to over pitch Garcia and tire her out, which was the case in last year’s WCWS and the top reason why the Bruins didn’t win.
If those other two pitchers can shut down the opposition as well as Garcia has, their chances of celebrating their 12th NCAA championship early next week are quite good.
BOTTOM LINE: As outstanding as the UCLA baseball and softball teams have been this season, it won’t be a complete success unless they win the school’s 118th and 119th NCAA title.
In short, as good as they have been, anything less than a natty will be a disappointment.
At least to this UCLA alum.
And I’m sure that those Bruins on both of those teams know and fully understand that.
Of course, it should go without saying that as a Bruin alum with a baseball and softball background, no one will be rooting for those teams more than I will.
Oh, by the way: Bubba Nickles’ lead off home run has given the Bruin softball team an early 1-0 lead over Minnesota!
Oh, by the way, part two: Led by Aaliyah Jordan’s three run homer in the 6th, UCLA handled their business against Minnesota today, beating them 7-2! They will next play Arizona in a grudge match tomorrow.
Rachel Garcia, the Pac-12 and National Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Photo courtesy of dailybruin.com