The UCLA baseball team, ranked No. 1 nationally, lost its first game of the season on Sunday afternoon to UC San Diego with a final score of 8-7 at Jackie Robinson Stadium. The series finale was marked by several lead changes and ties before UCSD secured the win in the ninth inning.
UC San Diego’s Nick Costello hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth, putting his team ahead 8-6. UCLA’s Mulivai Levu responded with a solo home run in the bottom half, but it was not enough for the Bruins to close the gap.
Levu led UCLA’s offense by reaching base four times and recording three hits, including a home run and two RBIs. Freshman Aiden Aguayo hit his first collegiate home run and added another hit for a multi-hit performance. Texas transfer Will Gasparino also recorded his first home run as a Bruin.
UCLA starter Landon Stump pitched 3.1 innings and allowed one run before being relieved by Chris Grothues, who kept the deficit at one in a critical situation.
Roman Martin tied the game for UCLA with an RBI double in the fourth inning. UCSD regained momentum in the fifth with two runs, including Michael Crossland’s second solo homer of the day. Aguayo answered with a two-run homer to level the score again.
Levu gave UCLA its first lead with an RBI single in the seventh inning, but Gabe Camacho put UCSD back on top with a three-run homer in the eighth. Gasparino’s two-run shot brought UCLA even once more before Costello’s decisive ninth-inning homer.
UCLA will next play Tulane at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Tuesday night at 5 p.m., with coverage available on B1G+.
