Every season can come with setbacks, but UCLA turns them into motivation. Last Sunday the UCLA Bruins fell 7-8 against UCSD after winning two games in a row in a back and forth season finale. The setback was the first of the season, but the Bruins quickly bounced back against Tulane.
The No.1 UCLA baseball team (3-1) welcomed the Tulane Pelicans (2-2) at noon on Tuesday at the home of UCLA baseball, Jackie Robinson Field. Both teams have not met since March of 2023, after a striking 10-3 win for the Bruins.
This week’s win against the Pelicans did not start immediately. In the first inning, Tulane was able to progress from first base straight to second after singles from Kaikea Harrison and Tye Wood. This progression led the Pelicans to score two RBI’s after a double hit to center, leaving the Bruins in the dust. However, with quick thinking off the first pitch, UCLA’s junior shortstop Roch Cholowsky homered the ball to left field straight out of the field, bringing in Cholowsky’s second home run of the season.
Cholowsky set the bar for UCLA and the team quickly caught on. In the bottom of the second inning, UCLA’s freshman second baseman Aiden Aguayo was able to move up to 2nd base on a throwing error. Junior catcher Cashel Dugger singled out to the middle which gave Aguayo a window to bring in another run for the Bruins. With this momentum, the Bruins picked up the pace: junior 1st baseman Mulivai Levu singled up to the middle, allowing Dugger and freshman designated hitter Dominic Cadiz to add another two RBIs for the Bruins who sat at 4-2.
The Bruins ran straight past Tulane on the score board, but the Pelicans were soon able to catch back up. Tulane scored two RBI’s with a line drive and a ground ball during the top of the 3rd, bringing both teams to a tie of 4-4. However, UCLA stayed on watch, catching flyouts and ensuring Tulane stayed far from home.
UCLA took their chances and scored yet another home run in the bottom of the 3rd inning. UCLA’s junior center fielder Will Gasparino hit his second home run of the year. The home runs did not stop there. In the bottom of the 4th, Cholowsky hit his second home run of the game straight to right field, giving junior left fielder Dean West the opportunity to score, bringing in two RBIs for the Bruins, bringing the score to 8-4.
After the 4th inning surge, the middle frames settled into a steadier rhythm as both the Bruins and Tulane traded quieter stretches. UCLA added insurance in the 5th, capitalizing on wild pitches and another RBI single from Levu to extend the lead to 10–4, while the bullpen began to take control on the mound. Freshman reliever Zach Strickland delivered three strong scoreless innings to halt Tulane’s momentum, and despite a brief lull at the plate in the 6th, the Bruins kept pressure on defensively and tacked on another run in the 7th off a RBI double junior third baseman Roman Martin. By the late innings, UCLA had firmly seized control of the tempo, setting the stage for the final offensive push that followed.
The opportunities continued through the finals, ending as the rain began picking up. UCLA was able to break through and score past the Pelicans. Gasparino hit his second home run of the game in the 8th inning to center field, sending Tulane straight into the wall. The Bruins tied the knot of the game at 13-5.
UCLA showed exactly how to dust your feet off and pick back up again. This win put the Bruins back in the game with their strong work ethic and determination. The UCLA baseball team will be returning home to Jackie Robinson Stadium on Friday, Feb. 20 at 5 p.m. PST.
