Tag: UCLA Bruins baseball

UCLA tees off against TCU in three-game series

The Bruins face TCU on the baseball diamond this weekend.

After a clean sweep of Gonzaga last weekend, the UCLA Bruins sit at a perfect 3-0. Now, they turn their attention to unbeaten #5 TCU.

Heading to face the Horned Frogs on the road this weekend in Fort Worth, the series is an early test for the Bruins in their season.

The Horned Frogs, who started their season with four straight wins, have gotten their offense rolling early. Scoring ten or more runs in three of their first four games, the Bruins bats and bullpen will be tested by TCU.

Luckily, the Bruins will have some additional rest. After their game against Loyola Marymount was postponed due to weather, the Bruins will have more rest than usual.

The Bruins jumped to #20 in the NCAA D-1 rankings following their first series and have an opportunity to rise even more by winning their upcoming series. Though doubts about how far the Bruins can go this season remain, a few statement wins over the weekend could make a difference in putting UCLA on the map.

Certainly, it is a long and grueling season, and wins in February matter far less than in April and May. But by competing well against tough competition early in the season, the Bruins could string together some real momentum in the early goings starting on Friday when they take on the Horned Frogs.

UCLA starts baseball season with sweep over Gonzaga

The Bruins baseball team got off to a great start this past weekend.

The UCLA Bruins got off to a hot start in their season, as they swept the Gonzaga Bulldogs in three games.

Starting the season 3-0, the Bruins proved why they were named to theย USA TODAY Top 25 ranking. Winning on Friday 8-7, on Saturday 10-3, and on Sunday 6-0, the Bruins shook off some of their rust and took care of their business over the weekend. And the Bruins’ first series showcased the talent that UCLA has to offer this season.ย 

Duce Gourson, named to the Pre-Season All-America team, started the season with a bang. With two home runs, four RBIs, and a stolen base, the infielder is looking every bit like an All-American so far.ย 

Another strong performance for the Bruins came from sophomore Michael Barnett. Starting on Sunday, Barnett pitched six shutout innings for UCLA, only allowing three hits and fanning six batters. With starting pitching being a bit of a weak spot in the Bruins’ clubhouse following the loss of righthanded ace Kelly Austin to the MLB, more performances like Sunday’s for Barnett and the UCLA rotation will be necessary.

Though the season has only just begun, the Bruins started on the right foot. And as their competition ratchets up in March, securing early wins in the season and getting on track early is of the utmost importance.

UCLA pitcher Rashad Ruff named to NCBWA watch list

Rashad Ruff has made his way on to a watch list to start the season.

The excitement surrounding UCLA Bruins baseball continues to swell with the season officially underway.

As the #24 Bruins prepare for their first series against Gonzaga this upcoming weekend, a Bruins player earned some special recognition.

Rashad Ruff, a graduate transfer from the HBCU Coppin State, was named to the National College Baseball Writers Association’s watch list. A high honor for the newly minted Bruin back in his home state, Ruff posted impressive numbers while playing for the Coppin State over the last four seasons.

Coppin State’s primary closer last season, Ruff offers a lot to like for a Bruins bullpen that could use some added juice.

Posting an impressive 11.2/K9 last season, Ruff has fanned 118 batters in his time at Coppin State, where he also won a game in the Mid-Eastern Atheltic Conference championship in 2022 for the Bald Eagles.

With talent and experience on his side, Ruff offers stability and ability to the Bruins bullpen and could potentially show out enough to serve as the closer in Westwood.

Eight UCLA teams rank in NCAA top-25 list

UCLA athletic teams are thriving in the top 5 rankings this season!

It has been an up-and-down year for UCLA athletics this season.

After Chip Kelly left for Ohio State and DeShaun Foster was hired as the new head coach, the questions about the football program can be put down for a bit.

However, a recent post from the UCLA Athletics Twitter shed some optimism on the school’s athletic landscape.

With eight teams, six women’s and two men’s, ranking in the top 25 nationwide, winter and spring sports are looking up. The highest-ranked team for the Bruins, currently, is women’s water polo at #1 in the nation with an undefeated 8-0 record. Following closely behind is #4 women’s golf and #4 men’s volleyball. Though not the most recognizable of sports in Westwood, the Bruins continue to show dominance across sports and across the country.

The two programs primed to make the most noise this season, however, are women’s basketball and men’s baseball. Both teams have a track record of success and look to make long runs in their respective NCAA tournaments.

For fans looking to feel less blue about their beloved Bruins, turn to these teams for some UCLA success and potential future national titles.

Three UCLA baseball players named preseason All-Pac-12

Duce Gourson, Luke Jewett and Cody Schrier named to All-Pac-12 preseason team.

Believe it or not, the college baseball season is nearly upon us.ย 

The Bruins,ย ranked #24 in USA TODAY’s preseason poll, already started their season with some accolades. Infielder Duce Gourson, right-hander Luke Jewett, and infielder Cody Schrier all landed spots in the Preseason All-Conference list for the Pac-12.

Gourson’s junior season began with a bang, as he was named a preseason All-American for his strong performance in 2023 and projected output in 2024.ย 

Joining him is Jewett, the junior pitcher with loads of experience. In 2022, Jewett led the Pac-12 with 35 pitching appearances.ย 

Also making the list is fellow junior Schrier. Schrier made the preseason All-American list in 2023, but after a down year statistically from his freshman season, he failed to garner any other honors at the end of the year.

However, there is confidence in Pac-12 coaches that Schrier can rebound and produce as he did as a freshman, where he hit .298, nine home runs, and drove in 42 runs.ย 

The Bruins begin their season with a three-game series at home versus the Gonzaga Bulldogs on February 16th. And hopefully for UCLA, their three Preseason All-Conference players are ready.ย