06-11-07

June 11, 2007

Good thing Bruin
Miller's Curtis leads UCLA on title hunt

T.J. Berka

When then-10-year old Jermaine Curtis saw Troy Glaus slam a home run for the UCLA Bruins, he knew right away where he wanted to play college baseball.
"I loved watching those guys," Curtis said. "They were absolute beasts and after I went to my first game, I knew that I wanted to play at UCLA."

Curtis, an A.B. Miller of Fontana graduate, followed the Bruins from that point on.

Now a sophomore playing third base, Curtis has a chance to help guide the Bruins to a place they haven't been since Glaus was wearing Blue and gold, the College World Series.

The Bruins (33-26) advanced to the Super Regionals for the first time since 2000 last weekend, topping Long Beach State, Pepperdine and Illinois-Chicago to win the Long Beach regional. They start a best-of-three series at Cal State
"It felt like everything was hitting me in the face," Curtis said. "I was shocked, I just couldn't believe it. I was scared because I felt I let my teammates down and I felt that they might have some problems winning without me. After we got off to a slow start I was even more scared."

But instead of moping, Curtis kept working in the weight room and practice field and stayed sharp for his debut March 30 at Stanford.

The Bruins went into the Stanford series struggling, as they had limped to a 10-14 record. But guided by Curtis in the leadoff spot, the Bruins came up with a sweep, jumpstarting a 23-12 run that dates through this past weekend.

"He was antsy to come out and make an impact," Savage said. "He was trying to do his best to help his teammates in a leadership role, but we needed him out there."

Since Jermaine has been in the lineup, he's been the shot in the arm that Savage likes, adding run production and power from the leadoff position.

As a freshman, Curtis led the Bruins in batting average at .336, but had only 21 RBI and zero home runs. As a sophomore, Curtis has raked in his 35 games, adding four home runs and 33 RBI to a .333 batting average.

"Jermaine reminds me of a Rickey Henderson," Savage said. "He brings all sorts of weapons to the leadoff position and just gives us a big boost."

And right now, Curtis is living his dream. He's playing at Jackie Robinson Field and playing for a program who he worshipped as a child.

"I love being part of UCLA," Curtis said. "To play at a place where Jackie Robinson played is really something that means a lot to me. He was such a great man who really is an American hero. I wear his No. 42 on my wristband as a tribute.

"A UCLA diploma sets you up for life and without Jackie, who knows if I ever get in the position to get one."

oday in search of their first CWS appearance since 1997. Today's Game 1 starts at 4 p.m., with Game2 at 7 p.m. Sunday and Game 3, if necessary, at 4 p.m. Monday.

"Last weekend was great and this weekend is going to be really fun, too," Curtis said. "We beat some great teams to get here and now we play against Fullerton, which is one of the best programs in college basketball.

"It's just exciting

for the program."
If there's anyone who deserves to be a little excited, it's Curtis.

He was the spearhead of the Bruins' 3-0 run through the Long Beach regional, batting .500 (7 for 14) for the weekend with a home run and three RBI.

Curtis provided the big blow in UCLA's regional-clinching victory over Long Beach State on Sunday with a homer and two RBI, leading to him regional MVP honors.

"I was shocked when I heard them say my name," Curtis said. "I figured I made the all-Regional team, but I didn't think I'd be the MVP. There were a ton of guys that could have been MVP."

It's that attitude that has made Curtis a leader on a Bruin team with 19 sophomores and 15 freshmen. It's an attitude that's helped that team rapidly improve from 15-41 in 2005 to being on the verge of the CWS two years later. It's also the attitude that allowed Curtis to switch from his high school position of shortstop to third smoothly, without any hiccups or outbursts.

"Jermaine is the epitome of what we want this program to be," UCLA coach John Savage said. "He was the MVP of the tournament for all the right reasons. He brings passion, intensity and a shot in the arm for us. We are a much better team with Jermaine."

UCLA had to play its first 24 games without Curtis, who was ruled ineligible due to an academic scheduling error.

Curtis, who is a history major with good academic standing, scheduled himself to take a freshman-level class for the first semester of his sophomore year. The error wasn't realized until the semester started, giving Curtis less than the necessary amount of credits to stay eligible.

Because of that, Curtis wasn't allowed to play until late March.