The No. 15-seeded UCLA baseball team experienced its first defeat of the postseason with a 9-5 loss against No. 6-seeded LSU during the Men’s College World Series at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. The game was noteworthy as it took place over two days; it began on Monday night but was suspended after the third inning due to weather conditions. When play resumed on Tuesday morning, the Bruins faced a 5-3 deficit.
UCLA initially surged ahead in the first inning with a 3-0 lead, driven by a double from sophomore third baseman Roman Martin that brought in Roch Cholowsky. Adding to the momentum were two more runs from an infield single by AJ Salgado and an RBI groundout from Payton Brennan. However, LSU quickly countered with a four-run inning to take control.
Despite the setback, the Bruins showed resilience, narrowing the gap with two runs in the eighth inning to make it 8-5, loading the bases in a final attempt to rally. Mulivai Levu’s single bolstered their effort, but LSU’s relief pitcher Chase Shores halted their momentum by securing the final out.
UCLA’s pitching staff utilized eight pitchers throughout the contest, with starter Landon Stump taking the loss. On the other hand, Chris Grothues and Cal Randall exhibited solid performances from the bullpen. LSU’s standout players included first baseman Jared Jones, who drove in four runs thanks to a crucial three-run homer.
Looking ahead, UCLA’s next challenge is against No. 3 seed Arkansas later today. This matchup marks the first postseason encounter between the two teams, adding an extra layer of excitement as the Bruins strive to continue their championship quest despite this setback.
UCLA holds a solid historical record in NCAA Tournament games, now at 75-53, and will look to leverage that experience as they face Arkansas. The Bruins, known for their fighting spirit, are certainly capable of turning the tide in their upcoming game.