UCLA baseball secured its inaugural Big Ten tournament championship with a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Oregon Ducks in Omaha. The Bruins showcased their resilience on Sunday by walking off the Ducks in the 11th inning.
With two outs and the bases loaded, UCLA’s Phoenix Call became the catalyst for victory. An inside fastball from Oregon’s Devin Bell hit Call on the shoulder, forcing in the game-winning run. This marked UCLA’s third consecutive walk-off win, a testament to their tenacity throughout the tournament.
A replay review delayed celebrations, but it confirmed the call. Moments earlier, UCLA had been on the brink of defeat. Down 2-1 with two outs in the ninth, Aidan Espinoza delivered a clutch single to tie the game, keeping hopes alive.
UCLA’s 51st win was their 10th come-from-behind triumph this season when trailing after the sixth inning. Outfielder Payton Brennan highlighted the team’s perseverance: “We’ve been doing it all year, but to accomplish it here is significant for us.”
Despite the thrilling win, UCLA faced a setback. Will Gasparino was ejected after an altercation with Ducks’ Drew Smith following an RBI triple. The incident led to his suspension for the next game, impacting UCLA’s upcoming NCAA regional contest.
UCLA manager John Savage noted, “It was an unfortunate play in the heat of the moment.” Meanwhile, Oregon manager Mark Wasikowski expressed concerns about the ruling, emphasizing the difficulty umpires face in policing the game.
Gasparino’s absence will be felt deeply. The junior has been pivotal, amassing a .316 batting average with 19 home runs this season. His performance has placed him as a strong prospect for July’s MLB Draft.
During the game, the Ducks took a brief lead in the sixth inning with solo home runs from Burke-Lee Mabeus and Naulivou Lauaki Jr. This was the extent of their scoring, as Bruins starting pitcher Angel Cervantes delivered five scoreless innings, striking out three and allowing minimal hits.
Cervantes, who chose college over signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates, shared his enthusiasm: “Playing here in Omaha has always been a dream.”
Leave a Reply