Baseball

John Savage Leads UCLA to No. 1 Seed in NCAA Baseball Tournament

A look at the veteran coach's legacy and the Bruins' championship hopes

UCLA entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed, riding a 51‑6 record that stands as the most wins in a single college baseball season this year. The Bruins are guided by veteran head coach John Savage, who is in his 22nd year at the helm.

A milestone season for UCLA baseball

Savage’s journey to the top began with early stints as a pitching coach at Reno High and later as an assistant at Nevada under Gary Powers, where his teams posted a 177‑82 record over five seasons and captured the 1994 Big West title. Before joining UCLA, he also led USC and UC Irvine, building a reputation for developing elite arms.

This season the Bruins open regional play at Jackie Robinson Stadium against Saint Mary’s, with ace Logan Reddemann and closer Easton Hawk anchoring a pitching staff that ranks among the nation’s best. Shortstop Roch Cholowsky, projected as the top pick in the upcoming MLB draft, adds a potent bat to the lineup.

The roster also features fresh talent from the Silver State, including freshman pitcher Mack Edwards, a Reno High graduate, and outfielder Bryson Glassco, a recent Spanish Springs alumnus now at Oregon State. Another Northern Nevada product, Cal Scolari of Bishop Manogue, is a redshirt sophomore on Oregon’s staff.

The road ahead

The Bruins will need to navigate a competitive field, but the blend of experience and fresh talent gives them a strong chance to extend their season deep into June. Fans across the country will be watching as the team looks to add another chapter to Savage’s storied career.

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