The No. 18 UCLA Bruins completed a crucial three-game series sweep, defeating Illinois 8-4 at Illinois Field to cap off a great weekend in Champaign. In order to clinch their 37th victory of the season, UCLA’s attack pushed the pace early by mixing timely hitting with outstanding power.
In the second inning, Roman Martin hit a solo home run to left field to give the Bruins an early lead after a quiet first inning. The UCLA lead was stretched to a start of 3-0 when Phoenix Call came up with a two run homer later that same inning, scoring AJ Salgado.
UCLA’s power surge continued into the third inning. Roch Cholowsky was scored by Mulivai Levu, who then increased the Bruins lead to 5-0 with another two run home run to left field. Call scored again in the fourth inning, hitting his second two run homer of the game, this time to score Blake Balsz and extend the lead to 7-0.
Cholowsky increased UCLA’s run total to eight in the fifth inning with another home drive, this time down the left field line. Illinois scored four runs in the seventh inning in an attempt to rally late in the game. Vytas Valincius drove in Illinois first run on a fielder’s choice RBI, followed by RBI singles from Jack Zebig and Drake Westcott to reduce the Bruins lead to 8-4.
After Illinois surge, though, UCLA’s pitching stabilized and the bullpen was able to prevent any more damage. In order to seal the 8-4 victory, Bruins reliever Easton Hawk came in to finish the game and make his first save of the year.
Heading into their next series against Northwestern at Jackie Robinson Stadium, UCLA is in a great position in the conference rankings after improving their season record to 37-14 overall with the sweep.
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Featured Image Photographed by Jeannie Kim/Daily Bruin
