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Most players in Division I baseball have spent their whole lives winning. Thus, the Bruins’ season, in which UCLA’s record is currently 9-28, has been quite an adjustment for everyone, from the starters down to the bench-warmers. Still, for the very few Bruins who played regularly and realized success the past few seasons, the transition may be even harder. Brett McMillan is a prime example. The junior has started nearly every game over his career and hit at the heart of the lineup in some explosive UCLA offenses. Though the ultimate results haven’t been the same this year, his production has been solid. He has started all 37 games and has a .275 average while leading the team with six home runs, 24 RBI, 24 runs, and 38 hits. “I’ve been pretty satisfied with my hitting, but the winning and losing is always the biggest thing,” he said. “You never get used to losing.” As a co-captain along with junior Chris Denove, McMillan has also had the responsibility of keeping the team focused amid the frustration. “I always try to lead by example,” he said. “But I think it’s kind of time to speak up a little bit, although I’m not the kind of guy to get in a guy’s face.” On top of that, McMillan has had to deal with an unexpected position switch. At the beginning of the year, UCLA coach John Savage likely figured he could pen in McMillan at first base through May. But because of injuries to Eric Taylor and Sean Smith, McMillan has moved over to start at third base, a position he played during fall practice, but is still adjusting to. “I didn’t expect this coming into the year,” McMillan said. “But I’m always ready to go.”

UPCOMING: UCLA will be searching for its first Pac-10 victory this weekend against Cal (27-18, 7-8). The Bruins are amid an eight-game home stand and hope that Tuesday’s 3-1 win over UC Irvine can propel them through a more favorable part of their schedule. “I think we’ll build off this win,” Savage said. “Whenever we win on a Tuesday, we can build and look forward to the weekend.” UCLA will trot out Hector Ambriz to the mound on Friday followed by Bryan Beck on Saturday. Savage has yet to announce a Sunday starter.