After a disappointing loss in Long Beach, redshirt freshman outfielder Aidan Espinoza said UCLA needed to prove they could win on the road. The Bruins did just that in Champaign, Illinois, bouncing back from their first three-game losing streak of the season with a series sweep.
No. 14 UCLA baseball (37-14, 20-7 Big Ten) took all three games against Illinois (27-22, 12-15) from Friday to Sunday at Illinois Field. The sweep keeps UCLA just one game behind Iowa for first place in the Big Ten standings.
The Bruins opened the series with a thrilling 10-9 comeback win on Friday. After giving up a seven-run fifth inning, which erased a four-run lead and put them behind by three, UCLA’s bullpen stepped up. Sophomore right-handers Cal Randall and Justin Lee, along with freshman Easton Hawk, kept Illinois scoreless over the final four innings. Meanwhile, the Bruin offense chipped away, scoring twice in the eighth and ninth innings. Redshirt sophomore center fielder Payton Brennan sealed the victory with a daring delayed steal of home.
“We battled back on Friday, had a clean game Saturday, and a good game today,” said head coach John Savage. “Overall, it was a very successful trip.”
UCLA followed up with a dominant 9-1 win on Saturday. The offense stayed hot, led by sophomore second baseman Phoenix Call (2-for-4), sophomore first baseman Mulivai Levu (3-for-5), and redshirt senior outfielder AJ Salgado (4-for-5).
In Sunday’s series finale, UCLA jumped out to an 8-0 lead after five innings and secured an 8-4 win. Call had a career game, going 3-for-3 with two home runs and four RBIs.
“I was feeling really good,” Call said. “I made a few mental adjustments, and it helped the team get the win. That’s what matters most.”
Despite the sweep, UCLA’s pitching was shaky at times, giving up 23 hits and 17 walks over the weekend. Friday starter Ian May allowed five runs in four innings, and reliever Chris Grothues struggled in both his appearances, giving up seven runs in just two innings of work.
“(Grothues) struggled Friday night and again today,” Savage said. “We need to get him back to basics.”
However, the Bruins often pitched out of trouble. On Saturday, Michael Barnett allowed nine baserunners but gave up only one run over six innings, escaping several jams. Sunday starter Landon Stump faced similar challenges but delivered five shutout innings despite walking four and hitting a batter.
“Barnett was very good last night,” Savage said. “He worked through some tough situations, and Stump did too. But Barnett was in control.”
Reliever Justin Lee threw three scoreless innings across two appearances and earned the win Friday. Freshman Easton Hawk notched his third and fourth saves of the season with solid outings on Friday and Sunday.
“It’s easier to pitch when your defense and hitters are backing you up,” Hawk said.
UCLA will now have a few days to rest. With no midweek game, the team will take Monday off and return to practice Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare for their final regular-season series against Northwestern, starting Friday at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
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