The UCLA Bruins reversed the course of events, defeating the Oregon Ducks 14-4 by run-rule in eight innings at PK Park after suffering a hard 2-1 loss in Fridays opener. The offensive explosion, which combined for 14 hits, evened the weekend series and showed the depth of UCLA’s lineup.
UCLA wasted no time getting on the board. With a solo shot to right-center, leadoff hitter Dean West ignited the offense and set the tone for a game in which the Bruins would barrel up almost everything they saw. Oregon responded in the bottom of the first with a RBI single and a solo home run of their own, giving them a brief 2-1 lead, but the momentum didn’t last long.
After overcoming the early runs, starting pitcher Michael Barnett found his rhythm, mixing in sharp breaking balls and preventing the Ducks from regularly squaring up. He kept Oregon off balance from the second inning on, and his defense behind him made no mistakes.
With aggressive base running and short ball strategies, the Bruins tied the score in the fourth inning and took the lead in the sixth. However, everything finally broke loose in the seventh inning.
UCLA made significant gains after Oregon went to its bullpen. The gates were opened by a series of walks, base knocks and a huge three-run homer from Roch Cholowsky. The game was blown open by the Bruins, who scored 11 runs in a row and put nine batters to the plate in consecutive innings. The Ducks relief unit was overpowered by The Bruins’ ability to create runs using both power and situational hitting.
The 10-run mercy rule was in place by the end of the eighth inning, giving UCLA a decisive victory and a significant boost in momentum going into Sunday’s rubber match.
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Featured Image Photographed by Catherine Rodriguez/BruinLife.
