LOS ANGELES, CA — Top-seeded UCLA entered the NCAA Regional as one of the nation’s hottest teams, but Saint Mary’s delivered the tournament’s first surprise Friday afternoon, edging the Bruins 3-2 behind two home runs from Jacob Johnson and a strong pitching performance from John Damozonio at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
Johnson blasted a go-ahead solo home run in the ninth inning, lifting the Gaels (35-25) past UCLA (51-7) in the opening game of the Los Angeles Regional and sending the Bruins into the losers bracket of the double-elimination tournament.
The loss snapped UCLA’s momentum after a dominant regular season and placed immediate pressure on the regional host to win four consecutive elimination games to advance.
“I thought it was a good game,” UCLA coach John Savage said. “Both teams played really good defense. Both pitching staffs threw strikes for the most part. A couple big swings by Johnson were really the difference in the game. We just didn’t do enough offensively to put ourselves in position to create runs.”
In a game dominated by pitching and defense, both teams were held scoreless through the first three innings. Saint Mary’s managed the first significant scoring opportunity when Johnson doubled in the third inning, but UCLA starter Wylan Moss escaped the threat.
Johnson would not be denied for long.
The Saint Mary’s designated hitter opened the scoring in the fourth inning, launching a two-out solo home run to left field to give the Gaels a 1-0 lead.
UCLA answered immediately in the bottom half. Junior third baseman Roman Martin tied the game with a solo home run to center field, energizing the crowd of 1,898 and restoring momentum to the Bruins.
The Bruins took their only lead in the fifth inning. Trey Gudoy sparked the rally with a leadoff double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Phoenix Call. After Dean West worked a walk, shortstop Roch Cholowsky lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Gudoy to score and putting UCLA ahead 2-1.
Saint Mary’s responded again in the sixth.
A leadoff walk to Tanner Griffith chased Moss from the game. Later in the inning, Makoa Sniffen lined a run-scoring double down the right-field line off reliever Landon Stump, tying the score at 2-2.
From there, the game became a battle of bullpens.
Cal Randall and Zach Strickland combined for two scoreless innings for UCLA, while Saint Mary’s starter Damozonio completed seven strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six. Reliever Cam Staton followed with two scoreless innings to earn the victory.
The decisive moment came in the ninth when Johnson stepped to the plate against UCLA reliever Easton Hawk. Johnson drove a fly ball to right field that carried just beyond the reach of Jarrod Hocking and over the wall for his second solo homer of the day, giving Saint Mary’s a 3-2 lead.
“He put good swings on two good pitches,” UCLA catcher Cashel Dugger said. “You have to tip your cap to him. He’s a strong guy and he made the most of his opportunities.”
UCLA had one final chance in the bottom of the ninth. Call singled with one out to bring the tying run aboard, but Staton retired the next two batters to secure the upset victory.
Johnson finished 3 for 4 with two home runs and all three Saint Mary’s runs scored or driven in. The Gaels collected six hits, matching UCLA’s total, but capitalized on their opportunities more effectively.
Despite the setback, Savage expressed confidence in his club’s ability to respond.
“There’s a lot of baseball left,” Savage said. “This team has been through a lot together. Right now we’re a little uncomfortable, and that’s okay. That’s a good test for our guys.”
The loss sent UCLA into Saturday’s elimination game, while Saint Mary’s advanced in the winner’s bracket and moved one step closer to a regional championship.