The Los Angeles Regional opened with a shockwave as the Gaels of Saint Mary’s knocked off the nation’s top‑seeded UCLA baseball team, 3‑2, in a game that will be remembered for its late drama.
Jacob Johnson was the catalyst, launching two solo homers that included a decisive blow in the ninth inning off Bruins pitcher Easton Hawk, flipping a 2‑2 tie into a 3‑2 lead.
The homer, initially ruled a pop‑up near the warning track, cleared the wall after a brief review, sealing the victory for the Gaels and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Reliever Cam Staton earned the win, navigating a tense ninth inning that featured a pop‑out by UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with a runner on first, preserving the lead.
The loss marks the first time a national No. 1 seed has been eliminated in an NCAA regional opener since 1999, a milestone underscored by Hawk’s otherwise stellar season in which he had allowed only three homers before this game.
What’s Next for the Gaels and Bruins
Saint Mary’s, now 35‑25, will advance to face the winner of the Virginia Tech versus Cal Poly matchup in the winner’s bracket on Saturday at 6 p.m. PDT, while UCLA, sitting at 51‑7, drops to the elimination bracket and will meet the loser of that same game at 1 p.m. PDT.
Both teams’ weekend starters, UCLA’s Wylan Moss and Saint Mary’s John Damozonio, dueled earlier, with Moss yielding three hits and a run over five innings and Damozonio giving up five hits and two runs through seven, setting the stage for a potentially fiery rematch.