Jake Bird is back. After battling through a midseason shoulder injury and losing the Saturday starting spot, the right-hander pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, recording seven strikeouts. Read more...

Photo: Jake Bird started the season as the Bruins’ Saturday starter, but lost the job early in the season. The junior righty threw 6 1/3 innings of shutout ball in the second game of the series against USC. (Daniel Lee/Daily Bruin)

Although the UCLA-USC rivalry is nearly a century old, at least one outfielder is excited. “I’m looking forward to the rivalry,” said freshman Michael Toglia, the only out-of-state starter on the roster. Read more...

Photo: Moises Ceja will start Saturday for the Bruins. The senior had a rough outing last time out against Cal Poly, lasting just 3 2/3 innings and giving up five runs on nine hits. (Laura Uzes/Daily Bruin)

UCLA baseball was six outs away from a two-run victory when things started to go south. It started in the eighth when junior reliever Jake Bird’s hit batsman and a pair of singles cut the lead in half. Read more...

Photo: Freshman right fielder Michael Toglia’s two-run home run put UCLA up 4-3 against visiting San Diego State on Tuesday night, but the Bruins were unable to hold a late-game lead and eventually lost 8-6. (Habeba Mostafa/Daily Bruin)

UCLA baseball (21-19) will conclude a five-game stretch of nonconference games with a home matchup against San Diego State (30-15) on Tuesday. The Bruins and Aztecs last squared off April 4, resulting in a 5-4 loss for UCLA. Read more...

Photo: Sean Bouchard was the most productive offensive player for the Bruins last time they played San Diego State, slugging a solo shot. The junior first baseman is hitting .309 on the year with a team-leading seven homers and 28 RBIs. (Michael Zshornack/Assistant Photo editor)