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On Friday, UCLA set a school record by winning their 42nd game of the regular season, en route to a 43-13 record. On Sunday, the Bruins learned that they had been chosen to host a Regional for the first time in 24 years. On Monday, it was a program first as the Bruins earned a national seed.
After winning 22 straight games to start the season, finishing second place in a Pac-10 that sent eight teams to the postseason and winning 10 of their 12 series, UCLA was rewarded with the number six national seed, meaning that not only will they host a Regional, but if they win that Regional, they will play host to a Super Regional as well.
The Bruins' national seed and the rest of the tournament field was announced Monday morning and it was revealed that Jackie Robinson Stadium will play host to what many believe is the toughest Regional in the country. Joining UCLA in Westwood as the two seed is LSU, the defending national champions who just won the SEC Tournament. The three seed is UC Irvine, who finished second in the Big West, and the four seed is Kent St., champions of the MAC Tournament.
The Regional is a double elimination format and will take place Friday through Monday (Monday is if necessary). Here's the tentative schedule, all times pacific and game numbers in parentheses.
Friday, June 4
2 pm- LSU vs UC Irvine (Game 1)
6 pm- UCLA vs. Kent St. (2)
Saturday, June 5
2 pm- Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 (3)
6 pm- Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 (4)
Sunday, June 6
2 pm- Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (5)
6 pm- Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 (6)
Monday, June 7
6 pm- Replay Game 6 (if necessary)
There are two ways to buy tickets. One option is the UCLA Central Ticket Office (310-825-2101) and the other is online via Ticketmaster. Tickets go on sale Tuesday at 10 am PDT at both locations for All-Session tickets. Reserved All-Session tickets are $80 adult for adults and $65 student. General Admission All-Session tickets are $55 for adults and $40 for students. Single-game tickets will go on sale Friday if any tickets remain. They will be $15 for adults and $12 for students for reserve tickets and $10 for adults and $8 for students for general admission tickets.
With UC Irvine in the Regional and LSU's traveling fan base, single-game tickets are no sure thing. It's important that the Bruins get a home-field advantage this weekend so grab your tickets early Tuesday and have a weekend at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
As always, make sure to keep an eye on my UCLA baseball twitter for any updates, links and information on the Regional all week long. I will have a regular season review and then postseason previews all week leading up to this weekend.
UPDATE: After being passed over by ESPN for television coverage, UCLA will not provide streaming video for this weekend's Regional so those not at the stadium will not be able to watch anything. Still trying to figure out why ESPN passed over the LA Regional, but some have speculated facilities making television production tough and a small capacity that won't look as good on TV.