UCLA Faces Elimination After Rain-Delayed Loss to LSU in World Series

OMAHA, Neb. — UCLA baseball head coach John Savage faced a tough scenario Tuesday morning as his team trailed Louisiana State University 5-3 in a game delayed by storms. The game was suspended Monday night after heavy rain, resuming with UCLA batting in the top of the fourth inning.

The Bruins got off to a quick start Monday, scoring three runs in the first inning. Roman Martin hit an RBI double, followed by AJ Salgado’s RBI single and Payton Brennan‘s grounder that added another run. Despite the strong opening, LSU swiftly responded, scoring four runs to take the lead.

Early in Tuesday’s game, UCLA rookie pitcher Wylan Moss struggled after getting the first two batters out. He walked the next batter and gave up a hit, prompting Savage to offer words of encouragement. Soon after, LSU’s Steven Milam continued a two-out rally, marking the first of four two-out RBIs for the Tigers.

As the game continued, UCLA’s pitching staff faced difficulties. The team relied on eight pitchers, with none managing to record more than six outs. Landon Stump allowed five runs before being replaced, while Moss had a limited appearance with only two outs registered.

<p“Just seemed like we were swimming upstream a little bit most of the game,” Savage said after the loss.

The Bruins made a late push in the eighth inning, as Dugger walked to load the bases. However, their rally was cut short when Phoenix Call grounded out with the tying run on base.

UCLA’s bats were notably quiet throughout the game. Lead-off batters went just one for 11, and the team struggled with runners in scoring position, ultimately tallying only five runs against a strong LSU squad. Notably, standout shortstop Roch Cholowsky remains hitless in the College World Series, extending his slump to 12 at-bats.

<p“In the end, they were the better team today,” Savage remarked. “We’ve got to regroup and focus on Arkansas now.”

UCLA is set to face Arkansas Tuesday afternoon in an elimination game, their first doubleheader of the season. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.