By Adam Karon
Daily Bruin Staff
Nothing is as reassuring as coming home after weeks on the road.
The road-weary UCLA baseball team returns to Jackie Robinson Stadium tonight to face San Diego State after nine straight games in enemy territory. For the Bruins, the game marks a chance to snap a nine-game losing streak and increase their RPI ranking.
The team is more concerned with getting a win, regardless of who it comes against.
“I don’t care if we are playing Podunk University,” said Head Coach Gary Adams. “It’d be nice to get back on the winning track.”
The Bruins’ current slide started against Cal State Fullerton two weeks ago and includes a pair of sweeps dealt by Kansas State and USC. During the skid UCLA has given up nearly eight runs a game.
Injuries to starting pitchers Jon Brandt and Josh Karp have contributed to the losses, but each defeat has truly been a team effort. The Bruins committed seven errors in a game against Long Beach State and struck out 34 times in three games against USC.
“The guys can’t give in to the losses,” Adams said. “We cannot feel sorry for ourselves. We just have to go out and make things happen.”
Playing the Aztecs at home has the team fired up to break its streak. The Bruins beat SDSU earlier this year 3-2 in San Diego. In that game, the Bruins scored three quick runs and held on to get the win by stranding two runners in scoring position in the ninth.
“We beat them last time, so that’s good since we’re in a losing streak,” said senior centerfielder Matt Pearl. “It’s just going to take a few breaks.”
The Aztecs are lead by outfielder Andy Litteral and second baseman Carlo Cota, who are hitting .372 and .364, respectively. Cota leads the team in hits with 68, including a team-high 12 doubles.
San Diego State is in a bit of a slump after getting swept by BYU last weekend. Prior to the sweep, the Aztecs had reeled off four straight wins. The Bruins are hoping to capitalize on SDSU’s problems and kick off an eight-game homestand with a victory.
“We know we have a long homestand ahead of us,” Pearl said. “We just need to finish strong.”
Starters have yet to be named for the game, but typical midweek pitchers Paul Diaz and Casey Janssen started the last two games of the USC series.
“I really like the fact we’re going to be at home for a while,” Adams said. “We’ve been on the road a long time.”