UCLA baseball: Bruins ranked 12th by Baseball America

UCLA’s baseball team, the defending national champion, is ranked 12^th in Baseball America’s pre-season poll.

The Bruins return six position starters. The pitching staff features starter Grant Watson, who has won 18 games in two seasons, and closer David Berg, who had an NCAA record 24 saves and was named All-American last season.

UCLA opens the season with a three-game series against Portland at home Feb. 14-16.

The Bruins were previously ranked 15^th in Collegiate baseball’s pre-season poll.