UCLA Shuts Out UTSA, Earns Spot in College World Series

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Payton Brennan had three hits, two RBIs and scored two runs as UCLA defeated UTSA 7-0 on Sunday to win the Los Angeles Super Regional. With this victory, the Bruins advance to the College World Series for the first time since 2013.

The No. 15 seed Bruins (46-16) opened the scoring in the fourth inning when Brennan hit a two-out double. Toussaint Bythewood followed with an RBI single off UTSA starter Conor Myles, giving UCLA a 1-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Phoenix Call‘s bunt single began a rally, leading to a second run after Roch Cholowsky hit a single to left field. UCLA extended its lead with two runs in the eighth and three in the ninth, capped by Brennan’s two-run single.

UCLA’s starter, Landon Stump, faced a minor setback when he hit Andrew Stucky with a pitch, but was relieved by Chris Grothues, who along with other relievers contributed to five no-hit innings.

UTSA (47-15), marking a historic season for the program with multiple milestones, saw their postseason journey come to an end. They secured their first NCAA postseason win by defeating Kansas State and claimed the program’s first regional title by beating No. 2 national seed Texas twice.

The Bruins will now prepare to play the winner of the Duke and Murray State super regional.