Bulldog baseball hits road for three at UCLA before coming home for long stand
Staff Reports
The Collegian
The Fresno State baseball team got off to exactly the kind of start it didn’t want to by dropping all three games against Cal Poly.
Once again, the downfall of the Bulldogs was pitching as Bulldog pitchers served up multiple home runs at inopportune times, including a walk-off home run in Sunday’s finale.
Fresno State lost Sunday’s game by a score of 9–8.
Previously ranked No. 21 in the nation by Baseball America, Fresno State will now look to put all facets of its game together as it hits the road to take on UCLA.
The Bruins have taken 4 of 6 games from the Bulldogs the past two years, the latest series taking place last season when UCLA visited Beiden Field.
Because the Bruins come into series with an 0–0 record, Fresno State should hold the experience advantage, having played three games so far this season, although they went 0–3 in those games.
Also working in Fresno State’s favor is the fact that UCLA is expected to have a rebuilding year. The Bruins are slated to end the Pac-10 season in 8th place, well behind the elite members of the conference.
Pitcher and Designated Hitter Hector Ambriz returns as UCLA’s leading pitcher, carrying an earned run average of 3.94.
Ambriz also can swing the bat, as he hit .338, good enough for second on the team, in addition to providing the team with a middle of the order left-handed bat.
Whether or not the Bulldogs do well in Los Angeles, they should be happy to return home, as a 25-game homestand is awaiting them when they return.
It won’t get any easier however, despite the homefield advantage, as the No. 11 ranked Pepperdine Waves will come in for a three-game series beginning next Friday.
Also among the teams slated to play against the Bulldogs in their 25-game homestand is Stanford.
• The Fresno State softball team will continue practicing until its opener in Arizona for the Kajikawa Classic.
Expected to begin the season as Fresno State’s newest pitching ace is Robin Mackin. Mackin, in four years of high school, surrendered only one hit and no runs.
Also returning for their junior and senior years are catcher Nichole Willis and Collegiate Softball Player of the Year candidate Christina Clark, respectively.
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