Huskies Look For Another Series Upset As Eighth-Ranked UCLA Visits Montlake

Washington Huskies vs. UCLA Bruins
Seattle, WA
 

The Series
The Washington Huskies welcome the eighth-ranked UCLA Bruins to Husky Ballpark this weekend for a three game series. With 12 games left (six in Pac-12), the Huskies have an uphill battle for the final spot in the Pac-12 tournament sitting two and a half games back of ASU. Also note that Saturday is Bark at the Park Day (http://gohuskies.com/BarkAtThePark22).

How To Follow
Friday (https://gohski.es/3MNWeWj) and Sunday's (https://gohski.es/3kDAwbF) games will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Networks, while Saturday's (https://gohski.es/3w79qyT) game will be available via Pac-12 Washington. Live stats will be available via GoHuskies.com and fans can also follow @UW_Baseball on Twitter to track the action.

Matchup History
UCLA holds a 36-26 edge in the series dating back to 1999. Last year the two squared off at Jackie Robinson Stadium where the Dawgs took two of three in the series with both Simpson and Brown recording home runs. With a 14-16 record in the matchup at home, the Dawgs would love to push that number over .500 this weekend.

Scouting The Huskies
Head coach Lindsay Meggs has a re-loaded roster for 2022, featuring 23 newcomers, including 10 JUCO transfers, 10 true freshmen, and three four-year college transfers.

Husky pitchers are fifth in the conference with a 4.59 team ERA. Friday's game will feature RHP Jared Engman starting his twelfth game, while RHP Calvin Kirchoff starts his eleventh on Saturday. Sunday's starter is still TBD. Out of the bullpen, RHP Stefan Raeth is fifth in the Pac-12 with a 2.87 ERA and fourth in strikeouts with 71 over 53.1 innings. Stu Flesland III has also been impressive with a 3.06 ERA over 35.1 innings of work.

R-So. Will Simpson leads multiple team offensive categories, including 12 doubles, 8 home runs, 31 RBIs, and an OPS of .862.  Batting .299 in 154 plate appearances, R-Fr. C Johnny Tincher leads the team in BA among regular starters. It's worth noting that all four of his home runs have come at home as well. With just 60 plate appearances, Fr. OF Colby Wallace's .317  batting average is quickly earning him more and more at bats. 

Scouting The Bruins
Head Coach John Savage is in his 18th season at UCLA (589-382-1) and 21st overall (677-466-2), with an NCAA National Championship to his belt in 2013 as well as Runner Up in 2010.

UCLA leads the Pac-12 with a 3.30 team ERA. They've given up the second-fewest hits (336) and runs (177) and are second in strikeouts per nine innings as well at 9.76. Starters Rajcic (tied for second in the Pac-12 with six wins), Flanagan, and Austin all possess a sub-4.00 ERA.

Offensively the Bruins sit near the middle of the pack in most categories. They are disciplined at the plate though, sitting second in walks and second to last in strikeouts. Similarly, a .271 team BA places them at ninth, while a .391 OBP has them up in the third spot. They lead the conference with 65 stolen bases due in large part to Gr. OF Kenny Oyama who is second in the Pac-12 with 19. Fr. IF Cody Schrier and INF/OF Jr. Michael Curialle's batting averages (.333/.312) and Home Runs (8/5) lead the team among regular starters. With just 68 at bats, Darius Perry's .324 is worth noting as well.