FULLERTON, Ca — No. 1-ranked UCLA used a decisive fourth inning and a strong bullpen performance to pull away from Cal State Fullerton for a 7-3 victory Tuesday night at Goodwin Field.
The Bruins (30-2) overcame an early deficit and pounded out 13 hits, highlighted by Roch Cholowsky’s two home runs and three RBIs, to secure the road win over the Titans (15-16). Jake Swenson (1-0) earned the victory in relief, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts as UCLA’s bullpen combined to shut down Fullerton over the final six frames.
“We stayed composed after they punched back early,” UCLA coach John Savage said. “Our at-bats in the fourth inning were the difference, and the bullpen did an outstanding job finishing it.”
UCLA struck first in the opening inning when Cholowsky launched a solo home run to left field. The Bruins added another run in the second, aided by a Fullerton throwing error, to take a 2-0 lead.
Cal State Fullerton responded in the bottom of the second with a three-run rally. Cam Burdick delivered a two-run double to right-center field, and Nick Miller followed with an RBI single to give the Titans a 3-2 advantage and energize the crowd of 3,311 under clear skies.
That lead was short-lived.
UCLA broke the game open in the fourth inning, scoring three runs on five hits against Fullerton starter Landon Martin (0-2). Kasen Khansarinia tied the game with an RBI single, and Dean West followed with a two-run double to right-center to put the Bruins back in front 5-3.
From there, UCLA’s pitching staff took control. After starter Angel Cervantes allowed three runs over three innings, six Bruins relievers combined to limit Fullerton to just four hits the rest of the way while striking out 10. Swenson bridged the middle innings before Cal Randall, Jack O’Connor and Justin Lee each delivered scoreless frames to close it out.
“Our pitchers really locked in after the second inning,” Cholowsky said. “When they do that, it gives the offense confidence to keep pushing and add on.”
Fullerton had opportunities to chip away but could not capitalize. The Titans managed just one hit with runners in scoring position after their three-run second inning and were shut out over the final seven innings.
UCLA added insurance in the ninth when Cholowsky struck again, blasting a two-run homer to left-center to extend the lead to 7-3. The shortstop finished 3 for 5 with two runs scored in one of his most productive performances of the season.
Trey Gudoy also contributed with three hits and two runs scored, while West added two hits and two RBIs for the Bruins.
Despite being out-hit 13-9, Fullerton struggled to sustain offensive pressure. Burdick’s double accounted for two of the Titans’ three runs, while their pitching staff cycled through seven arms in an effort to contain UCLA’s lineup.
The win continued UCLA’s dominant start to the season, while Fullerton dropped below .500 as it looks to regroup in conference play.
