News Summary
UCLA celebrated a 6-4 victory against Murray State in the opening game of the Men’s College World Series. The Bruins jumped to a 6-0 lead but faced a late push from Murray State, which scored four runs. UCLA’s closing pitcher Easton Hawk secured the win in the ninth inning, and the Bruins are looking forward to a matchup against LSU next. The victory marks UCLA’s first appearance in the tournament since their 2013 championship win.
OMAHA, NE – UCLA secured a thrilling 6-4 victory over Murray State in the opening game of the Men’s College World Series (MCWS) held on June 16. The win marks a significant milestone for the Bruins, as it is their first appearance in this prestigious tournament since they claimed the championship title in 2013.
UCLA exhibited a dominant performance early on, racing to a 6-0 lead by the end of the fourth inning, driven by the offensive efforts of Roman Martin and AJ Salgado, who each contributed two runs batted in (RBIs). Despite the Bruins’ initial commanding lead, Murray State made a late-game push, narrowing the gap to just two runs by scoring four times, but ultimately fell short.
In a standout moment during the game, Easton Hawk, the closer for UCLA, delivered a flawless ninth inning to seal the win, striking out one batter and securing two outs without any runs allowed. Ian May also played a pivotal role, earning the victory after pitching one inning of relief.
UCLA’s recent victory improves their season record to 48-16 and enhances their impressive statistic of 27-1 when scoring first in games this season. Following this win, UCLA is set to face No. 6 LSU in their next matchup on Monday night. LSU won their opening game against Arkansas by a score of 4-1.
Murray State, making its MCWS debut with a record of 44-16, showcased resilience despite the loss. After UCLA’s dominant start, the Racers broke through in the fifth inning, scoring their first run and adding three more across the sixth and eighth innings, but it was not enough to overcome UCLA.
During the game, UCLA started with aggression, loading the bases without any outs in the first inning but managed to produce only one run. Dean West added to their lead with a single in the second. The Bruin’s fourth inning featured a mix of offensive strategies, including a safety squeeze play, a base hit, and Salgado’s two-run double that contributed four runs to their tally.
In the aftermath of UCLA’s victory, Coach John Savage acknowledged the significance of winning the first game but also noted the long journey ahead in the tournament, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the MCWS.
Meanwhile, LSU’s opening game saw them triumph over Arkansas, with starting pitcher Kade Anderson showcasing excellent form by allowing only three hits and one run across seven innings while striking out seven batters. LSU’s offensive burst in the second inning, accounting for three runs, was fueled by a combination of walks, hits, and errors by Arkansas pitcher Zach Root.
This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it marked the first encounter between the highest-seeded teams in the MCWS opener since the restructuring of the NCAA tournament in 1999. LSU, historically dominant against Arkansas in the MCWS, improved their record against them to 4-0.
As the tournament progresses, Arkansas will face Murray State in the elimination game after their defeat to LSU. The weather conditions earlier had caused delays in the games, pushing the LSU vs. UCLA match to resume on June 17, adding another layer of tension and anticipation to an already high-stakes tournament.
With both UCLA and LSU showcasing their strengths in the tournament’s opening round, expectations are high for their upcoming matchup, promising an exciting continuation of NCAA collegiate baseball at its finest.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
LSU vs UCLA College World Series Game Postponed
Rain Suspends College World Series Matchup Between LSU and UCLA
Weather Delays College World Series Game in Omaha
UCLA Bruins Baseball Team Clinches Spot in College World Series
UCLA Baseball Returns to College World Series After Decade
High School Softball Showdown in Lake Balboa
UCLA Softball’s Season Ends with Heartbreaking Semifinal Loss
Texas Tech Softball Reaches WCWS Semifinals for the First Time
Tennessee Volunteers Softball Defeats UCLA in Elimination Game
Tennessee Lady Vols Triumph Over UCLA in WCWS Elimination Game
Additional Resources
- USA Today: LSU vs. UCLA Baseball Score
- NOLA: LSU Baseball vs UCLA College World Series
- UCLA Bruins: Take On LSU in CWS
- USA Today: College World Series Weather Updates
- Wikipedia: College World Series
