The #13 Bruins narrowly defeated the Trojans this weekend in their first meeting of the season. Both teams have winning records and talented teams, but have struggled recently to play consistent baseball.
The UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans baseball teams squared off for the first time Sunday afternoon at Dedeaux Field. The #13 Bruins rallied from a late deficit and defeated the Trojans 6-5 in a close battle between the crosstown rivals.
The game was scoreless through the first five and a half innings before USC scored two runs in the sixth inning starting with an RBI single by shortstop Blake Lacey. He would later score from third on a fielding error by the Bruins. UCLA quickly responded by scoring four runs in the seventh on two hits and two fielding errors by USC and took a 4-2 lead. The Trojans later scored on a fielder’s choice by Lacey in the bottom of the inning to cut the deficit to one run.
In the eighth, Bruins third baseman Chris Keck hit a solo home run to give UCLA back a two-run lead at 5-3. However, USC tied the game at five in the bottom of the eighth on a fielder’s choice RBI by pinch-hitter Joe Corrigan and a throwing error by second baseman Luke Persico.
The Bruins scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning as outfielder Christoph Bono came up with a two-out RBI single that brought home catcher Shane Zeile. The Trojans threatened in the ninth with runners on first and second and only one out but failed to tie the game.
It was a game neither team wanted to lose, but in the end UCLA took round one and added to USC’s recent funk. Let’s take a look at how both teams have performed recently.
#13 UCLA Bruins (8-7)
The first 15 games have been a roller coaster ride for UCLA. They came out of the gate strong – winning four of their first five games. Then they lost three in a row scoring a combined five runs in those losses. The Bruins went on to win three straight during the Notre Dame Classic with dominant pitching that surrendered just one run in three games.
Before their victory against USC, they had another three game losing streak at home with two of those losses being one run games. UCLA has not taken advantage of a home-heavy start to the season winning just four of their first 11 home games.
One of the bright spots of the team has been Zeile. He is the nephew of former Los Angeles Dodgers and 16-year Major League veteran Todd Zeile, and is leading the Bruins with a .431 batting average, a .549 slugging percentage, and 11 RBIs. He went 4 for 4 with two runs scored in the win over the Trojans.
Bono has also been productive for UCLA in the early part of the season. He is batting .302, which is third-best on the team and driven in eight runs, including the game-winner against USC.
The pitching staff has been a strength for the Bruins to start the season. They have a combined ERA of 2.82. Grant Watson has been one of the more consistent starters for UCLA. He has a record of 2-1, a 2.16 ERA, 19 strikeouts (which is second on the team) and opposing hitters are batting .213 against him.
Reliever David Berg has been a stalwart in the UCLA bullpen. Berg has appeared in 12 games for the Bruins and has a record of 2-0 with three saves, 11 strikeouts, and a 2.55 ERA. He recorded a six-out save in the win over USC, but gave up two runs on three hits.
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USC Trojans (8-6)
Like the Bruins, USC has had a “Jekyll & Hyde” start to their season. The Trojans started off on fire winning their first seven games, including a win over #4 Cal State Fullerton. Their pitching and hitting were equally impressive and USC looked primed to have a bounce-back year.
However, they have now lost six of their last seven games and are in the middle of a four game losing streak. Their offense has cooled off, their defense has been bad, and their starting pitching has struggled. However, they do have some talented players that have performed well through the first quarter of the season.
Outfielder Timmy Robinson is one of the best hitters on the Trojans. Robinson is batting .279 with a team-leading 10 runs scored, eight RBIs (second-best on the team) and a .328 slugging percentage. Catcher Jake Hernandez has also been terrific with the bat to start the year. He has a team-best .435 batting average and a .480 on-base percentage. Hernandez has a .500 slugging percentage and 20 hits, which are both second-best on the team.
Bob Wheatley has led the USC rotation with a 2-0 record, an outstanding 0.35 ERA, and 19 strikeouts in 25.2 innings pitched. Opposing teams are hitting just .200 against him. In his start against UCLA, he surrendered one unearned run on six hits in 6.2 innings.
Although he gave up the deciding run in the loss to the Bruins, reliever Nigel Nootbar has been solid in the Trojans bullpen. He has a record of 0-1, a 1.23 ERA, and has struck out 10 in four appearances this season.
Both UCLA and USC have issues they need to address in the field and at the plate as they continue their long year. They have both shown promise at times but need to be more consistent if they are going to have a successful season.
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