UCLA baseball
Coach: John Savage (13th season)
Last season: 25-31 overall; 12-18 in Pac-12 (10th)
Postseason: n/a
Players lost: RHP Grant Dyer (4-4, 4.50 ERA, 70 K); OF Eric Filia (.295, 32 RBI, 3 HR); 1B/3B Luke Persico (.323, 30 RBI); OF Kort Peterson (.271, 36 RBI, 3 HR); OF Christoph Bono (.183, 20 RBI)
Top returners: RHP Griffin Canning (5-8, 3.70 ERA, 95 K); 1B Sean Bouchard (.295, 36 RBI, 2 HR); C Daniel Rosica (.264, 14 RBI)
Top newcomers: INF Michael Toglia (Gig Harbor, Wash./Gig Harbor High); INF Chase Strumpf (Ladera Ranch/J Serra High), OF Jeremy Ydens (Campbell/St. Francis High); INF Ryan Kreidler (Davis/Davis High)
Outlook: Injuries decimated UCLA’s 2016 season, but the Bruins are healthy and motivated heading into 2017. They were voted fifth in the Pac-12 preseason coaches poll after finishing 10th out of 11 teams in the conference last year. UCLA’s calling card will be its depth this season, strengthened from the adversity of 2016 and boosted by a talented immediate impact freshman class.
Coach’s quote: “Adversity is a good thing and sometimes it’s hard to take, but it’s very important to deal with it. It’s a long season and I think it’s very important that you can bounce back and play the way we’re capable of playing. We just have to stay together, realize it’s a long season and improve day in and day out.”
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