Tuesday, April 28, 1998
UCLA hopes to overthrow Long Beach, in part to turn around
sluggish season
BASEBALL: Bruins still pumped from decisive victory over USC;
49ers swept away by Fullerton
By Kristina Wilcox
Daily Bruin Staff
UCLA travels to Long Beach State for one of its last
non-conference games of the 1998 season.
The Bruins (19-30) are coming off an offensively-powerful
weekend against USC, while the 49ers (26-19) lost all three games
to conference rival Cal State Fullerton.
Long Beach State was tied for first in the Big West Southern
Division with the Titans, but by losing all three games at Blair
Field, fell three games back and into second place in the
league.
Going into the series, the 49ers were ranked No. 23 in the
Baseball America poll, but the sweep may change that standing.
However, unlike the unranked Bruins, the 49ers still have a
chance at postseason play. That may make a motivational difference
in the outcome of Tuesday night’s game.
When the two squads met up in March for the game at Jackie
Robinson Stadium, the 49ers rocked UCLA, 21-5.
* * *
Freshman Garrett Atkins continued his hitting streak on Sunday
with his third-inning single. The third baseman went 1-for-5 in the
game, extending the streak to 33 games.
The streak is the longest in school history. Three Pac-10
players hold the league record of 37 games. Atkins could tie that
record this weekend against Portland State.
He is currently tied with Shane Mack for hits in league play
during a season (51).
* * *
Utility player Aldo Pinto’s impressive streak as spot reliever
came to a close on Sunday when he allowed a home run to break a
12-12 tie.
Pinto (0-1) has appeared in six games and gone 6 2/3 innings,
allowing three runs. His 4.05 ERA is the second-best on a team that
has a 8.87 ERA overall.