Bruins Open Pac-10 Season By Pummelling Trojans

I imagine rye will give us more through observations and analysis on this week's action in another post but good news doesn't have to wait. Bruins have been slogging through a somewhat disappointing pre-season but they made up for it by starting the Pac-10 season in style.

They destroyed the Trojans this past weekend over at Dedeaux Field by taking 2 out of three from Southern Cal. Bruins clinched the rubber match yesterday by bombing the Trojans:

Third baseman Casey Haerther went 4-for-4 with a three-run homer, three runs and three RBI to lead the UCLA baseball team past USC, 17-2, Monday evening at Dedeaux Field. The Bruins set a school record for margin of victory in the all-time series against USC, eclipsing the previous 14-run margin set on May 17, 1955, when the Bruins upended the Trojans, 18-4.

Right-hander Charles Brewer (1-2) earned the victory, limiting the Trojans to two runs and six hits in 6.1 innings while logging seven strikeouts. USC right-hander Kevin Couture (3-2) was tagged with the loss, surrendering six runs (four earned) and five hits in 2.1 innings.

The 2-games-to-1 series victory over USC helped UCLA acquire five points in the annual Lexus Gauntlet Challenge, an annual multi-sport competition between the crosstown rivals.

UCLA established several single-game season-highs on Monday with 17 runs, 16 hits, 13 RBI, four doubles and 26 total bases. Right fielder Justin Uribe contributed to the Bruins' RBI total, going 1-for-4 with a two-out grand slam and two runs scored. The Bruins also received multiple-hit efforts from shortstop Niko Gallego (2-for-5) and first baseman Cody Decker (2-for-4).

UCLA outscored Southern Cal, 32-11, in the three-game Pac-10 series. Bruins now have a season record of 7-13 and 2-1 in the conference. They take on Pepperdine this Wed.at Pepperdine's Eddy D. Field Stadium is 3 p.m beforeing retuining to conference action for a three game series against Zona at home on Friday. Hope the boys can sustain the momentum and stay on this hot streak.

GO BRUINS.