UCLA baseball prepares for what’s next

UCLA’s baseball team has had its first national championship only for a full day, but starting pitcher Nick Vander Tuig already caught Coach John Savage looking at his recrutiting list on the trip to Westwood.

That’s the life of a college coach, always preparing for what’s next. But Savage might give a moment or two to relish the moment.

“My mind’s really only on the celebration we are going to have,” Savage said with a smirk.

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Savage was referring to the College World Series celebration the Bruins will hold Thursday at 2 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Admission is free and doors will open at 12:30 p.m.

But the door may be closing on the roommate pitching duo of Vander Tuig and Adam Plutko. The San Francisco Giants selected Vander Tuig (14-4, 2.16 earned-run average, 93 strikeouts) in the sixth round of this month’s draft and the right-hander said negotiations could start as early as Thursday.

“I have to talk to the Giants and get things situated,” Vander Tuig said. “I have a pretty good idea of what I am doing, so we’ll go through the negotiations this week or next week.”

Plutko (10-3, 2.25 ERA, 81 strikeouts) was much less certain about his future after being drafted in the 11th round by the Cleveland Indians.

“I’m not sure yet,” Plutko said. “I haven’t even thought about it. We’re still trying to enjoy this one.”

One thing is certain, though. The Bruins will have a target on their back because of the trophy Savage carried off the bus Wednesday afternoon.

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