NEW ORLEANS -- In Tulane's sweep through the regional
playoffs last weekend, Brian Bogusevic did pretty much what he's
done all season, which is everything.
Bogusevic was named regional most outstanding player for
pitching the Green Wave to an opening-game victory, batting .364,
hitting a game-clinching home run in the second game, making key
defensive and base-running plays in the third game, and driving in
six runs over the weekend.
"He carried us on his back,'' coach Rick Jones said as the
Green Wave prepared for the super regional at Cal State Fullerton,
which starts Saturday.
"We've been a balanced club all year,'' Jones said. He said
throughout the season, different players stepped forward as leaders
on different days, and last weekend it was Bogusevic.
Bogusevic got the Green Wave off on the right foot by pitching
them past Washington in the opener, 3-2. He went 8 2/3 innings,
allowing eight hits and two runs. He walked two, struck out three,
and went 1-for-5 as the designated hitter.
In the second game, Bogusevic hit a three-run homer that
completed Tulane's scoring in a 7-0 victory against Western
Kentucky. He finished 1-for-3, drawing a walk and scoring twice.
Bogusevic helped Tulane finish things off in a 12-3 victory
against Washington, using his glove, bat, legs and brain. He was
2-for-3, drove in three runs, scored two and walked twice.
The second-seeded Huskies had a 3-1 lead with the bases loaded
and two outs in the second inning when Bogusevic chased down a line
drive and made a diving catch in right-center to save at least
three runs.
Bogusevic was in the middle of Tulane's decisive rally an inning
later. His RBI-single tied the score, and Matt Barket was able to
steal home to break the tie when Bogusevic used his base-running
ability to lure a throw after he was caught between first and
second on a botched hit-and-run.
"A lot of guys want to do it, but when it gets to the time when
you have to have it done, they might not necessarily be one of the
ones that step up,'' Jones said. "He wants it when it means the
most, whether it's making the catch, or at the at-bat, or being on
the mound, or stealing a base. He wants it, whatever it takes.''
Bogusevic, who was a Freshman All-American last season, is 9-5
with a 3.70 earned run average. He is batting .343 with 10 home
runs and a team-best 68 runs batted in.
"His upside is the best I've had since I've been here,'' Jones
said. "This guy is 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, and he's our fastest base
runner. He hits for power and average. He's a great outfielder, not
a good one, with an accurate, strong throwing arm, and that alone
can make him a first-round draft pick.
"Then you put him on the mound and he can throw it 91, 92 miles
per hour and with a breaking ball and a changeup, and he competes.
"In addition to that he's a tremendous worker. He's a great
teammate and a great student. I really don't know what a negative
would be. His upside is really off the charts.''