The Bruins scored sixth runs in the 10th inning to prevail.
Maryland baseball’s last-gasp rally fell well short in an intense extra-inning battle against UCLA, ultimately falling 12-6 after a dramatic 10th frame.
The Terps wasted no time getting on the board. In the bottom of the first inning, Alex Calarco struck a homer to right-center field, scoring Chris Hacopian and giving the Terps an early 2-0 lead.
On the mound, sophomore right-hander Kyle McCoy set the tone for Maryland with an impressive outing. McCoy kept the UCLA hitters off balance, working effectively through the first four innings while allowing just two hits and striking out five batters.
The Terps threatened again in the second, but UCLA pitcher Cody Delvecchio retired the side in order, maintaining the 2-0 deficit. Delvecchio settled in from there, working through the Maryland lineup with efficiency in the third and fourth innings, which gave UCLA a chance to rally.
UCLA struggled to generate offense against McCoy, who continued his dominance through the middle innings. The Bruins’ best scoring opportunity came in the fourth inning, when Roch Cholowsky reached base on a walk. But Maryland’s defense stepped up, escaping the inning without damage.
Maryland broke the game open in the fifth inning. Freshman infielder Adel Hill led off the inning with a solo home run to right-center field, extending the lead to 3-0. Moments later, senior infielder Jacob Orr doubled to right-center field and came around to score on a wild pitch, giving Maryland a 4-0 advantage.
The Terps weren’t done yet, though.
As the sixth inning rolled around, Maryland loaded the bases after a hit-by-pitch and two walks. UCLA reliever Chris Grothues walked Brayden Martin with the bases loaded, which brought a base runner home and extended the lead to 5-0. The Bruins avoided further damage, stranding three Maryland runners.
McCoy continued his dominant performance, retiring UCLA in order in the top of the sixth inning. But the Bruins mounted a comeback effort in the top of the seventh. The inning began with a Roman Martin double to left field, advancing Mulivai Levu to third after he had drawn a walk.
Jarrod Hocking then drove in a run with a single to center field, cutting Maryland’s lead to 5-1. After a pitching change, McCoy was replaced by Jack Wren, and Blake Balsz reached base on a fielder’s choice that brought home another run. Phoenix Call added an RBI double down the left field line, bringing the score to 5-3.
Maryland failed to respond offensively in the bottom half of the inning. Chris Hacopian struck out looking, Alex Calarco flew out to left and Hollis Porter lined out to right, leaving the Terps scoreless in the seventh inning.
The Terps were in control heading into ninth inning before Cholowsky delivered a game-changing three-run homer. Maryland responded with a solo shot from Chris Hacopian, tying the game at 6-6 and forcing extra innings.
The Bruins exploded in the 10th inning, scoring six runs. This included a grand slam from Levu, putting the game out of reach. Maryland failed to muster a response in the bottom of the inning, sealing its fate.
Three things to know
1. McCoy’s powerful start. McCoy dominated the Bruins, throwing 6.1 innings and allowing four hits and three runs.
2. Power from the top of the order. Calarco and Hill both hit home runs Friday. Calarco’s two-RBI first inning and Hill’s solo blast in the fifth inning provided the ammo for the Terps’ early lead.
3. UCLA’s late rally. Despite Maryland leading for most of the game, UCLA’s ninth-inning homer and explosive 10th inning sealed the Terps’ fate.