UCLA is top-seeded team in NCAA baseball tournament for first time

UCLA went from national champions in 2013 to oblivion in 2014. The Bruins are positioned well to climb back into prominence as the No. 1 overall seeded team in the NCAA baseball tournament.

The Bruins didn’t have to wait long to find out their fate. They were the first team announced when the pairings were announced Monday.

Louisiana State was the second-seeded team, Louisville third, Florida fourth, Miami fifth, Illinois sixth, Texas Christian seventh and Missouri State eighth.

UCLA has won 10 consecutive post-season games, all during their 2013 title run. But a rash of injuries left the Bruins out of the tournament last season.

They rebounded strong and will play Cal State Bakersfield at UCLA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium at 8 p.m. on Friday. Maryland plays Mississippi at 4 p.m. Friday in the Los Angeles Regional’s other. The winner of the regional plays in the Super Regional, which could create a UCLA-USC match-up.

The Trojans will play Virginia in the Lake Elsinore Regional at 3 p.m. Friday. UC Santa Barbara plays San Diego State at 7 p.m. Friday. The regional will be at the Diamond in Lake Elsinore.

Cal State Fullerton was not among the nationally seeded-teams, but will host one of the toughest regionals. The Titans play Pepperdine Friday at 7 p.m. Arizona State plays Clemson at 3 p.m. Friday.

The Pac-12 had six teams make the tournament. The Big West Conference had two and the West Coast Conference had one.