Virginia Tech entered the 2026 NCAA Los Angeles Regional facing UCLA with a modest lead, but the stakes were high as both teams vied for a coveted spot in the next round.
The Ninth‑Inning Collapse
The Hokies had built a 5‑3 advantage entering the final inning, only to watch the Bruins orchestrate a dramatic turnaround. Two solo home runs by UCLA’s Mulivai Levu and Roman Martin knotted the score, setting the stage for a decisive at‑bat.
Phoenix Call’s walk‑off RBI single capped the rally, delivering a 6‑5 victory for UCLA and snatching the win from the jaws of defeat.
Virginia Tech’s offense had sparked earlier in the game, with Owen Petrich, Ethan Gibson and Ethan Ball each launching solo homers that briefly pushed the lead to three runs.
Starter Brett Renfrow took the mound for the Hokies, surrendering just two runs on five hits, but the late‑game surge proved too much to overcome.
Despite the loss, the performance highlighted the resilience of the Virginia Tech squad and left fans hopeful for future matchups.