UCLA's offense explodes past Michigan State in 13-11 comeback win
The UCLA Bruins remain undefeated in the Big Ten due to a late-game hitting barrage that overcame the Michigan State Spartans' whopping lead in 13-11 victory.
UCLA infielder, Mulivai Levu (39) celebrates after scoring during an NCAA baseball game against USC on April 4th, 2026 at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. The UCLA Bruins scored 11 runs in the final three innings of Sunday's game to defeat the Michigan State Spartans 13-11. UCLA was behind eight runs in the seventh inning, following Michigan State's relentless hitting from the early to middle stages of the game.
But a leadoff hit-by-pitch for second baseman Aiden Aguayo sparked a resurgence that ultimately swayed the momentum back towards UCLA. Michigan State reliever Tommy Szczepanski walked three consecutive UCLA batters after the hit-by-pitch on Aguayo to bring in a run. A bases-loaded groundout from first baseman Mulivai Levu scored another, then a chopping RBI-double from right fielder Payton Brennan made the score 10-5 with runners on second and third.
UCLA continued to string together a series of hits that cut away at Michigan State's lead, such as a two-RBI double from centerfielder Will Gasparino lofted to shallow right field and an RBI single from catcher Cashel Dugger. UCLA's lead was 10-7 going into the bottom of the seventh. Michigan State left fielder Nick Williams responded with a solo home run to right field that provided an insurance run for the Spartans.
But in the eighth inning, UCLA left fielder Dean West answered with a shot to right-center field that climbed Michigan State's outfield hill and permitted a triple with shortstop Roch Cholowsky next at the plate. Cholowsky grounded a ball to short stop that resulted in a throwing error to score West. A walk from Levu brought UCLA third baseman Roman Martin to bat with two runners on base.