The UCLA baseball team suffered its first loss of the season in the finale of its opening series against UC San Diego on Sunday.
The Bruins’ first game against the Tritons featured two big innings to win 8-4. On Saturday, UCLA blew out UC San Diego 7-2 in the second game of the series. In the third matchup on Sunday, the game featured several ties and some lead changes.
UC San Diego got on the board first with a home run in the top of the third. The Bruins were able to get their first run to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth, when junior infielder Roman Martin hit a double to right center and scored junior infielder Roch Cholowsky.
UC San Diego responded in the top of the fifth with two runs, but UCLA kept pace in the bottom of the fifth. Freshman outfielder Trey Gudoy walked and infielder Aiden Aguayo hit a home run to right field to make the game tied 3-3 heading into the sixth inning.
Both teams left two runners on base in the sixth. The Bruins would gain the lead in bottom of the seventh when junior outfielder Dean West scored on a single by junior first baseman Mulivai Levu.
Everything soured for the Bruins in the top of the eighth when two Triton runners were on base and UCLA made a pitching change. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Easton Hawk came in for junior right-handed pitcher Cal Randall. UC San Diego smacked a homer to left center and give the Tritons the lead, 6-4.
The Bruins were able to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth when junior outfielder Will Gasparino smashed a two-run home run to left field.
UCLA gave up two more runs in the top of the ninth and Levu was the only Bruin to get a hit in the bottom of the ninth. Even though Levu hit a home run, it was just a solo shot. It wasn’t enough to tie. UCLA fell 8-7.
The Bruins will stay at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Tuesday to play against Tulane at 5 p.m.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA baseball falls to UC San Diego in opening series finale
Reporting by Ryan Lorenz, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
