UCLA has been selected as the No. 15 national seed for the NCAA Super Regionals, a return to this stage after a four-year hiatus. Head Coach John Savage has led the Bruins to their seventh super regional in his tenure and their sixth in the past few seasons, underlining the program’s consistent success in postseason play.
The Bruins marked their 15th postseason appearance in the last 21 years, reinforcing a strong record under Coach Savage, who boasts a 49-27 postseason overall record. Their achievements this season include a share of the Big Ten Conference regular season title, propelled by standout performances that saw them win 8 of 10 conference series.
Star player Roch Cholowsky received multiple honors, including Big Ten Player of the Year and the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. With a batting average of .370 and an impressive total of 23 home runs— the highest for a Bruin since 2000—he has not only significantly contributed to the team’s success but is also among the nation’s leaders in wins-above-replacement (WAR).
Alongside him, Mulivai Levu has made history with 84 RBIs, ranking third in the nation, while this duo’s combined total of 156 RBIs is the most by a UCLA pairing since 1997. Their remarkable consistency this season is reflected in UCLA’s record of 13 wins out of 15 weekend series.
As UCLA prepares to host UTSA from June 7-9 at Jackie Robinson Stadium, they bring a dynamic offensive lineup highlighted by their recent regional victories which showcased their prowess at the plate. In their last series, they outscored opponents decisively, including a notable 22 hits in their opener against Fresno State.
This Super Regional marks an opportunity for UCLA to reclaim their standing in college baseball, with hopes to advance to the College World Series again; they have previously made it to the World Series three times in their six super regional appearances. Coach Savage, who achieved his 800th career win this season, ranks among the elite in college baseball—well on his way to further solidifying the legacy of a program that holds significant promise as it strives for championship status.
UCLA’s defense, leading the nation in double plays and boasting a fielding percentage of .981, supports their strong pitching staff bolstered by recent transfers. With the Bruins’ competitive spirit and exceptional talent, they approach the Super Regional determined to make a lasting impression and potentially secure a path back to national prominence.