To say that UCLA baseball has struggled in Pac-12 play is pretty much an understatement. They are mired in eighth place in the standings and it’s important to note that there are only 11 teams in the conference for baseball. Colorado does not field a baseball team.

Tonight, the Bruins begin a series against one of the teams which are actually below them in the conference standings, the Utah Utes, who are just 4-8 in Pac-12 play. First pitch is set for 6 pm. There will be no TV broadcast of tonight’s game, though it will be streamed.

Last Time Out

In my Tuesday game preview, I wrote about how both starters seemed to have issues with control and how Tuesday’s game might become the Night of the Quick Hook.

Well, I was right.

LMU starter Sean Paquet faced three batters and he was done without even getting an out. That was because he walked Kevin Kendall who led off for the Bruins. A wild pitch advanced Kendall to second before Paquet walked Pat Caulfield. He then threw a wild pitch to Matt McLain, scoring Kendall. After walking McLain, Paquet was done and LMU turned to Mason Kokodynski.

Caulfield eventually scored on a sacrifice fly to give UCLA a 2-0 lead after one, with both runs being charge to Paquet.

But, the Lions actually managed to get those runs back in the top of the second when Bruin starter Nick Nastrini gave up a two-RBI double which tied the game.

In the bottom half of the second, Daylen Reyes was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and he scored on an RBI single by Caulfield which put UCLA ahead for good.

For what it’s worth, Nastrini also got the quick hook with one out and two on in the top of the third. He was replaced by Daniel Colwell who got the Bruins out of the inning without letting LMU tie the game.

UCLA tacked on five Lion-killing insurance runs in the bottom half of the third. The Bruin rally was highlighted by a bases loaded triple by Kyle Karros which gave UCLA a 7-2 lead at the time and the Bruins led 8-2 after three.

UCLA added three more in the sixth and, then, one more in the seventh which came as a result of a solo homer by Kyle Karros. Overall, Karros finished the night going 2-for-5 with four RBIs and two runs scored. The UCLA bullpen combined for 6-2/3 scoreless innings and they allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out ten. Colwell earned his first win in a UCLA uniform for his 2-2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Utah Utes

The Utes come into JRS tonight in the middle of a really tough season. The team is just 8-18 overall and 4-8 in conference play. All things considered UCLA should be able to sweep the Utes, but this hasn’t been a great season for the Bruins either.

At the very least, I’m looking for a series win at home for the boys in powder blue.

#25 UCLA Baseball (18-11, 6-6)

Opponent: Utah Utes (8-18, 4-8)
Where: Jackie Robinson Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

Media:

Live TV: None
Live Audio: uclabruins.com with Tim Wilhelm
Live Stream: Pac-12.com and the Pac-12 Now app

Friday

Game Time: 6:00 pm PT, Friday, April 16, 2021
Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast
Projected Pitching Matchup:
UCLA - Zach Pettway, RHP, Sr. (0-2, 4.55 ERA)
UTAH - Justin Kelly, RHP, RJr. (0-6, 6.70 ERA) )

Saturday

Game Time: 2:00 pm PT, Saturday, April 17, 2021
Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast
Projected Pitching Matchup:
UCLA - Sean Mullen, RHP, Jr. (6-1, 2.68 ERA)
UTAH - Kyle Robeniol, LHP, Gr. (1-3, 6.67 ERA)

Sunday

Game Time: 1:00 pm PT, Sunday, April 18, 2021
Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast
Projected Pitching Matchup:
UCLA - Jesse Bergin, RHP, Jr. (3-2, 4.50 ERA)
UTAH - David Watson, RHP, RSo. (2-4, 4.73 ERA)

Weekend Notes:

UCLA

This is your UCLA baseball vs. Utah Utes game one open thread.


Go Bruins!

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