Virginia Tech at UCLA Preview

LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The top-ranked UCLA Bruins host Virginia Tech in a nonconference matchup Saturday evening at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

UCLA (51-7) enters riding a dominant season, while Virginia Tech (30-25) looks to rebound from a 6-2 loss to Cal Poly on Friday.

Bruins’ Moss anchors rotation

Right-hander Wylan Moss has been a consistent force for UCLA. The standout allowed two earned runs over five innings with four strikeouts in a 3-2 loss to Saint Mary’s on Friday, his most recent start. Over his past four outings, Moss has a 2.87 ERA in 19.2 innings, including a dominant seven-inning, one-run, nine-strikeout performance against Oregon on May 8. He struggled in a four-inning, four-run outing at Washington on May 14 but has otherwise been reliable for a staff that has propelled the Bruins to the nation’s best record.

Hokies’ Craytor key in relief

Virginia Tech relies on reliever Luke Craytor, who has been effective despite the Hokies’ recent struggles. The left-hander tossed 1.2 scoreless innings with one strikeout against Cal Poly on Friday. Craytor has not allowed an earned run in his last five appearances, spanning 8.1 innings. He struck out three over 2.2 scoreless frames against Clemson on May 16 and worked 1.1 scoreless innings in a 17-10 win over Notre Dame on May 20. His lone blemish across the stretch was a May 3 outing at California, where he allowed one earned run in 1.1 innings.

Recent results

Virginia Tech has split its last six games, alternating wins and losses. The Hokies beat Notre Dame 17-10 on May 20 and UNC Greensboro 11-9 on May 10 but dropped games to North Carolina (10-4 on May 22) and Cal Poly (6-2 on Friday). The bullpen has been a bright spot: Brendan Yagesh and Brody Roe combined for 1.2 scoreless innings against Cal Poly.

UCLA has won nine of its last 11 games, with the lone losses coming to Oregon (9-6 on May 9) and Saint Mary’s (3-2 on Friday). The Bruins swept Washington on the road May 14-16 and took two of three from Oregon. Moss and relievers Zach Strickland and Cal Randall combined for three scoreless innings against Saint Mary’s on Friday.

The matchup pits a powerhouse UCLA squad against a Virginia Tech team seeking a signature win ahead of postseason play. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.