The UCLA baseball team secured a 4-2 victory over Minnesota on Apr. 17 in the opening game of their series at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
The win is significant as it marks the Bruins’ nineteenth consecutive conference victory, strengthening their position at the top of the Big Ten standings. The team now holds a record of 34 wins and three losses overall, with an undefeated mark in conference play.
Right-handed pitcher Logan Reddemann led UCLA with six innings on the mound, allowing only three hits and two earned runs while striking out five batters. Reddemann managed to keep Minnesota scoreless through the first three innings and maintained composure despite issuing a season-high three walks. The pivotal moment came in the fifth inning when UCLA’s offense produced four runs from singles by Will Gasparino, Cashel Dugger, and Aiden Aguayo, turning a two-run deficit into a lead they would not relinquish.
Dean West contributed with an early double for one of just four total hits by UCLA during the game. Relief pitchers Cal Randall, Zach Strickland, and Easton Hawk combined for three shutout innings to secure the win, with Hawk earning his seventh save of the season. Both teams started strong defensively; neither side put a runner on base until Minnesota scored twice in the fourth inning before UCLA responded decisively in their half of the fifth.
Payton Brennan was hit by a pitch to start UCLA’s rally before Gasparino singled to center field. Dugger followed up with an RBI double off the left-field wall. Trey Gudoy walked to load bases for Aguayo’s game-tying single into right field; subsequent sacrifice flies from West and Cody Cholowsky completed UCLA’s scoring surge.
The Bruins will continue their series against Minnesota tomorrow afternoon at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
