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UCLA holds off late Murray State rally at College World Series
Published:
UCLA is perfect.
Still.
On Saturday, the Bruins (48-16) held off a late rally from Murray State to win 6-4 and take the opening game of the 2025 Men’s College World Series. The win was UCLA’s first at the MCWS since 2013 and propelled it into the winner’s side of Bracket 2. UCLA is now 6-0 this postseason.
The Bruins will face the winner of Arkansas-LSU on Monday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Ian May earned the win for the Bruins, his eighth of the season. Easton Hawk recorded his eighth save of the year. UCLA scored runs in the first and second innings, then produced a 4-run spot in the bottom of the fourth to jump to a 6-0 lead. Murray State fought back with runs in the fifth and sixth innings and then 2 runs in the eighth, but Hawk fanned 2 in the top of the ninth to retire the side without any fuss.
UCLA is 27-1 this season when scoring first — the best mark in college baseball.
Back-to-back walks and a single to open the bottom of the first loaded the bases for the Bruins before Murray State recorded its first out. Starting pitcher Nic Schutte then walked in a run to give the Bruins the lead. But 3 baserunners were stranded after Schutte found a foothold, struck out the next 2 he faced, and forced a groundout to first.
Cashel Dugger opened the second with a leadoff double and then Dean West brought him home with an RBI single to give UCLA a 2-0 lead.
Sound hitting extended the UCLA lead in the fourth. UCLA cracked 3 singles and a double in the frame to produce 4 runs.
Seven Bruins recorded a hit. West (2-for-4, 1 RBI) and Phoenix Call (2-for-3) led the charge at the plate.
Michael Barnett got the start on the bump for UCLA and gave the Bruins 4.2 innings of work before handing off to Wylan Moss. Jack O’Connor and August Souza also saw action for the UCLA pitching staff as the Bruins combined to strike out 8 Murray State batters while giving up 9 hits.
Murray State must now win to stay alive in Omaha. They’ll face either Arkansas or LSU on Monday at 2 p.m. ET in an elimination game.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.