Home / Sports / Gaels Shock Top Seed UCLA 3-2 in Regional Play
Gaels Shock Top Seed UCLA 3-2 in Regional Play
30 May
Summary
- Bruins suffer first loss since April 14, now face elimination.
- Saint Mary's Jacob Johnson hit two decisive solo home runs.
- UCLA, the top overall seed, was defeated at home.
- Saint Mary's edged UCLA 3-2 in a stunning upset.
The UCLA Bruins, ranked No. 1 overall in the NCAA Tournament, suffered a stunning 3-2 defeat to Saint Mary's on Friday, marking their first loss since April 14. This outcome forces the top-seeded Bruins into an elimination game on Saturday.
Saint Mary's designated hitter Jacob Johnson proved to be the pivotal player, launching two opposite-field solo home runs. His second blast in the top of the ninth inning secured the lead for the Gaels (35-25) and ultimately sealed the fate for UCLA (51-7).
The game remained tight from the start, with both teams trading solo home runs in the fourth inning. UCLA briefly took a 2-1 lead in the fifth but Saint Mary's responded, tying the game and setting the stage for Johnson's late-game heroics.
UCLA's bullpen pitched effectively through the middle innings, but closer Easton Hawk was tagged with the loss after surrendering Johnson's decisive ninth-inning homer. Saint Mary's relief pitcher Cam Staton earned the win, successfully closing out the game.
