By Scott Bair
Daily Bruin Staff
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It was a long weekend. UCLA left for Seattle at 7:00 a.m. on
Thursday morning with the optimism that they could turn their
season around with a couple of wins.
After a heart-breaking series loss to the Washington Huskies – a
series that they played well enough to win – all the Bruins wanted
to do was get back to the comfort of their own home. They
couldn’t even do that. They were stuck in the Seattle airport
until 9:00 p.m., waiting for their plane to take off and
didn’t regain footing on California soil until after
midnight.
The Bruins got back home late Sunday, but won’t have much
time to enjoy it, as the Long Beach State 49ers invade Westwood for
a Tuesday contest at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
UCLA must recover from last weekend’s frustration quickly
if they hope to beat the 49ers, who emerged with a one-run victory
on a walk-off home run in last month’s game in Long
Beach.
“This team is resilient,” UCLA head coach Gary Adams
said. “Every time they’ve been knocked down,
they’ve bounced back with a good attitude and great effort. I
admire that about this team.”
Tuesday’s starter, David Johnson, is going to have to
personally rebound against LBSU after a tough outing against
Washington State two weeks ago. He gave up three hits and three
earned runs in 0.1 innings during the Saturday game of the WSU
series and has not thrown since.
UCLA will look to No. 3 and 4 hitters Josh Arhart and Wes
Whisler to provide the fire power. The tandem has combined for 20
hits, 13 RBIs, six doubles, and six home runs over the past four
games.
“I’m just trying to relax at the plate,”
Whisler said regarding his recent offensive showing. “The
more experience that I get, the more confident I feel in being able
to adjust to Pac-10 pitching.”
Whisler, a freshman, will be facing off against fellow newcomer
Bo Ashabraner, who will start Tuesday for LBSU. The scarcely-played
pitcher doesn’t have much experience, having allowed two runs
in just 4.2 innings of work this season.
Following the typical format of preserving their pitchers for
conference play, both pitching coaches will keep a short leash on
everyone that pitches Tuesday, including the starters.
UCLA will need to make the most of its limited amount of rest.
The Bruins can’t allow memories of a weekend that could have
been to drag them down if they are to succeed Tuesday.
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Note: UCLA pitcher Mike Kunes, who outdueled last week’s
Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week Shawn Kohn with a three hit, one run
complete game last Friday, has received this week’s honor. It
is the first Pitcher of the Week award for Kunes.