In a heart-pounding finish at Jackie Robinson Stadium, No.15 UCLA Bruins (30-11, 14-5 Big Ten) pulled off a dramatic 7-6 walk-off victory over Penn State Nittany Lions (25-15, 12-10 Big Ten) on Friday night. Trailing by one in the ninth after blowing a three-run lead, the Bruins rallied behind Mulivai Levu’s clutch grounder to secure the win.
The game started with fireworks. Penn State jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first, capitalizing on two walks. UCLA responded immediately, unleashing a pair of two-run homers. Roch Cholowsky’s blast to center field scored Dean West, and AJ Salgado’s shot to right-center followed Roman Martin’s walk, giving the Bruins a 4-2 edge. Grant Gray’s leaping grab in right field in the third denied Penn State a homer, preserving UCLA’s lead.
The Bruins’ pitching staff, led by relievers CJ Bott, Chris Grothues and August Souza, held Penn State to four hits across three scoreless innings, though 10 walks and two hit-by-pitches kept the Nittany Lions in contention. UCLA extended their lead to 5-2 in the eighth when Cholowsky scored on Salgado’s RBI groundout, finishing with three RBIs in a 1-for-4 night.
Penn State mounted a stunning four-run rally in the ninth to take a 6-5 lead. Undeterred, UCLA fought back. Blake Balsz led off with a single, advancing on a throwing error. Aidan Espinoza drew a pinch-hit walk, and West’s flare to left tied the game. With Cholowsky intentionally walking, Levu’s two-strike grounder forced an errant throw, allowing the winning run to score.
UCLA (now 30-11) returns Saturday at 2 p.m. to Jackie Robinson Stadium for game two of the three-game set against Penn State (now 25-15c).
Gallery:
UCLA catcher throws ball to first baseman as Penn state player runs down the 1st baseline. Photographed by Luana Caravalho/BruinLife.
#6 Grant Gray runs from second base to third. Photographed by Luana Caravalho/BruinLife.
#40 catcher Cashel Dugger swings bat across home plate. Photographed by Luana Caravalho/BruinLife.
UCLA players celebrate in dug out after home run. Photographed by Luana Caravalho/BruinLife.
