The UCLA baseball team has a renewed sense of competitiveness this season behind revamped depth and a talented freshman class.
“We all like being around each other and I think there’s a really good competitive atmosphere,” senior first baseman Daylen Reyes said. “That’s definitely something that’s new and something that’s positive for us.”
The Bruins did not appear in the NCAA Regionals last season for the first time since the 2016 season. Multiple injuries depleted the roster, leading to losses in five of their last seven regular-season games for a 28-24-1 overall record and a 12-16-1 mark in Pac-12 play.
“Being at home during playoffs sucked,” Reyes said. “We have higher expectations than that, so we’re shooting for higher.”
Head coach John Savage said he feels confident in the Bruins’ depth if injuries arise again, especially with the position players. He said there are up to 19 position players that he feels confident in heading into the season.
There are also options in the bullpen. Preseason Pac-12 selection Luke Jewett is slated to be the Friday night starter, sophomore Finn McIlroy will start on Saturdays and sophomore Michael Barnett will get the nod on Sundays. Freshman Landon Stump will take the lead on Tuesdays.
“We like how it stacks up,” Savage said. “They can pick each other up if they have to go in in the middle of an inning. They’re durable. We have always built our team from the back to the front and this team is no different in regards to pitching.”
Junior infielders Duce Goursen and Cody Schrier are also preseason all-conference picks and will likely have big roles as hitters this season. Schrier held a .466 slugging percentage in 32 games last season after missing time due to injury.
Goursen led UCLA with a .319/.438/.515 slash line, 10 home runs and 48 RBIs. He had an additional eight stolen bases and had an on-base percentage of .438.
“He’s a very instinctual player,” Savage said. “He…
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