UCLA vs. Washington Friday Baseball Open Thread: Starting the Pac-12 Title Defense

UCLA are the back-to-back Pac-12 champions, but that all goes out the window at 6 p.m. PT tonight. Then, Adam Plutko will throw the first pitch of the 2013 Pac-12 season and the past will be just that -- the past.

The Bruins square off against Washington this weekend in the first weekend of conference place, which is a nice way to ease into the Pac-12 for UCLA. The Huskies are just 4-11 on the season, having failed to win consecutive games all season and coming off of a sweep at the hands of LSU. Meanwhile, the Bruins have won nine of 10.

Plutko carries a 2-0 record and 2.45 ERA into the game after tossing seven strong innings of four-hit, one-run ball against a good Notre Dame team last weekend. He will be opposed by fellow junior right-hander Nick Palewicz, who is 2-3 with a 5.01 ERA and was tagged for six runs (three earned) in six innings a week ago.

If you're not out at the ballpark this evening listen in to John Ramey and Tim Welhelm or follow along with GameTracker.You can also get all of your game updates and observations, as well as all news, notes and links on my UCLA baseball Twitter. This is your open thread so chime in with updates and observations as the Bruins begin their run for another conference title.