On May 22, 2026, the UCLA Bruins traveled to Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, where they faced the Purdue Boilermakers in a tightly contested college baseball game that would go down to the final innings.
A Late Rally Seals the Win
The Bruins opened the scoring in the third inning when Sam Flores singled to right field, driving in a run that put UCLA ahead 1-0. A subsequent throwing error by Purdue’s catcher allowed Avery Moore to cross the plate, extending the lead to 2-0.
Brandon Rogers provided the pivotal moment in the seventh inning, launching a solo home run that pushed the Bruins to a 3-1 advantage. Purdue answered with a run of their own, but the Bruins’ bullpen tightened.
Easton Hawk, who entered the game in the fifth inning, delivered six solid innings, scattering three hits while striking out eight. His effort earned him the win, while Purdue’s starter Jake Kramer took the loss after a late rally fell short.
The final stretch saw Roman Martin triple to left‑center, driving in a run that made it 4-2, and Mulivai Levu followed with a sacrifice fly in the ninth to seal a 4‑3 victory. Purdue’s late push was halted by a crucial defensive play, cementing UCLA’s comeback narrative.
With the win, UCLA improves its postseason outlook, while Purdue will look to regroup after a hard‑fought loss. The performance highlighted the Bruins’ depth and resilience, setting the stage for future matchups.