Rahmatulla hurts but helps (and much much more!)
OMAHA, Neb. - This hurts Tyler Rahmatulla.
Not his right wrist, broken during UCLA's postgame celebration following its 8-1 win over Cal State Fullerton last Sunday in the NCAA Super Regionals at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
What really hurts, what stabs Rahmatulla to the very core, is his heart.
Aching, breaking.
"I was heartbroken for him," UCLA head coach John Savage said. "The guy was such a big part of our team, started 61 games and hit third all year on a World Series team. He knows he still has opportunities to come back as a junior and senior, and we talked about that one-on-one. Rammy's with us with every pitch."
Rahmatulla knows what he means to this Bruins squad, which defeated Florida 11-3 in their first game of the College World Series on Saturday night, the program's first CWS win.
He might be the single most important reason the team is even in Omaha, hitting a ninth-inning, two-out, two-run home run against the Titans in the team's Super Regional matchup last Saturday, when UCLA faced elimination with a loss.
While the Bruins didn't miss Rahmatulla's bat on Saturday - his replacement, third baseman Dean Espy, went 3-for-6 with two RBIs while starter Cody Regis slid to second base - they certainly aren't the same team without him in the lineup and on the field.
But in the clubhouse? In the dugout?
Rahmatulla is still there, chirping away, his bright smile there when a teammate is down, his left hand ready for a fist bump when a Bruin is up.
"For those who know him, he's a great guy," shortstop Niko Gallego said. "He feels terrible, but he knows he can contribute, and that's what he's done. He's taken Regis under his wing; they sat together on the plane, they sit together on the bus. We're taking ground balls at practice, and Rammy's right out there with him.
"It's great for him, and it's great for Cody."
Balk, Balk, Balk
When Trevor Bauer pitched on Saturday night against the Gators, he was fantastic, fanning 11 while allowing three runs and six hits in seven innings.
The "when" is the key part.
Bauer committed an uncharacteristic two balks after coming into the game with just one for the season, and the first one hurt, advancing to Florida baserunner to second and third, both scoring later in the inning.
Niko Suave
UCLA leadoff hitter Niko Gallego - leading off for just the third time this season - settled in at the plate early.
Gallego went 4-for-5, scored two runs and stole a base - his 27th in 28 attempts - before being pulled for a pinch runner in the top of the ninth inning.
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