UCLA Baseball Shines: No. 10 Bruins Triumph Over Long Beach State in a 12-1 Run-Rule Blowout
LOS ANGELES – In a display of sheer dominance, the No. 10 UCLA baseball team claimed a decisive 12-1 victory against Long Beach State on a splendid Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium. This impressive win not only marked the Bruins’ fourth run-rule triumph of the season but also showcased their formidable offensive and pitching prowess.
A Stellar Performance from the Bruins
UCLA’s record now stands at 26-6 overall, with a commanding 10-2 record in the Big Ten. The Bruins pulled off an incredible four-run outburst in the sixth inning, pushing their lead to 11 runs and activating the 10-run mercy rule in the seventh.
All nine UCLA starters contributed to the offensive onslaught, as each recorded at least one hit—a feat they’ve achieved only twice this season. Jarrod Hocking sparked the scoring with a two-run homer in the second inning, while Blake Balsz showcased his hitting skills with a solid two-hit performance.
Pitching that Shuts Down the Competition
On the mound, Ian May delivered an exceptional outing, beginning his second consecutive Tuesday start. Perfect in three innings, May struck out four batters, setting the tone for a pitching staff that was truly lights out. The Bruins retired an impressive 11 straight batters before allowing a solo home run to Armando Briseno in the fourth inning.
An Offensive Surge
The UCLA offense truly flexed its muscles in the second inning when Hocking launched a towering two-run home run over the left-center field wall, giving the Bruins an early lead. The offensive onslaught continued as they exploded for four runs in the next inning, with Dean West and Mulivai Levu igniting the rally with back-to-back hits. They were followed by Roman Martin, AJ Salgado, and Balsz, who each roped RBI doubles that sent the Bruins’ faithful into a frenzy.
Not content with just a few runs, UCLA tallied two more in the fifth without even recording a hit. Martin advanced after being hit by a pitch, and Balsz walked. Hocking’s grounder caused chaos, pushing Martin across home and setting the stage for a seven-run lead.
The Final Flourish
In the sixth inning, UCLA extended its advantage, reaching double digits as Balsz and Hocking both drew bases-loaded walks, while Cashel Dugger delivered a timely base hit that drove in two runs, putting the Bruins firmly in command.
As the game hit its final frames, Cal Randall took the mound and successfully recorded the first two outs of the ninth. After a few walks and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for the Dirtbags, August Souza was brought in to seal the deal. He struck out the final batter, clinching the mercy rule victory for the Bruins.
What’s Next for the Bruins?
With this impressive victory behind them, the Bruins are now on a roll, having won 19 of their last 22 contests and improving to 16-4 in nonconference play. They look forward to returning to Big Ten Conference action as they face off against Washington on Friday, April 11, at 6 p.m. PT. Fans can catch the action live on B1G+.
Ready to witness more from the Bruins? This team’s journey is just heating up, and there’s no telling how far they can go in the season! Stay tuned for upcoming games and highlights.
