The Bruins entered the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal facing an early 1-0 hole, but a late surge turned the tide and set the stage for a dramatic finish.
A Nail-Biter in Omaha
UCLA tied the game in the eighth with a pair of runs, shifting momentum and forcing Purdue to defend a close contest into the final inning.
In the ninth, Mulivai Levu stepped up, stayed composed, and delivered a sacrifice fly that brought home pinch-runner Jarrod Hocking, sealing a 4-3 victory.
Coach John Savage praised Levu’s poise and the team’s resilience, noting that the win was a testament to their preparation and mental toughness.
The triumph propels UCLA into a noon Pacific semifinal against arch-rival USC on Saturday, a matchup that promises another electric atmosphere in Omaha.