UCLA and USC’s College Baseball Rivalry Heats Up
Despite their differences, fans from both sides can find common ground. In fact, it’s worth discussing this again, especially with more games on the horizon next month.
The rivalry between UCLA and USC in college baseball really took center stage recently, packing an entire week’s worth of excitement into one incredible game at the College World Series venue.
USC came out strong at the Big Ten Tournament semifinals held at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska, building an impressive lead. But then, UCLA turned the tide.
Just when it seemed like USC was gaining the upper hand, they managed to score against UCLA’s closer, who hadn’t allowed a point in a while—since early March, actually.
But it was UCLA that ended up making the crucial move. Mulibai Lev hit a three-run walk-off home run, clinching a 7-5 victory for the Bruins with two outs in the ninth inning. Remarkably, this marked another thrilling moment for Lev in just a few days.
“We just don’t back down,” Lev told the Big Ten Network after his earlier game-winning fly against Purdue. “We maintain our confidence, no matter the situation.”
With this win, UCLA, who has pulled off 27 come-from-behind victories this season, booked their spot for Sunday’s championship against either Nebraska or Oregon State.
Not long before, USC looked poised to be one of those finalists. They managed to notch two runs against UCLA’s closer, Easton Hoke, interrupting his impressive scoreless streak of 25 innings.
With the stakes noticeably rising, UCLA’s Aidan Espinoza stepped up, scoring an infield hit that brought home the lead in the bottom of the ninth. The leadoff batter, Dean West, who had previously contributed two key runs, also reached base with a walk and made way for Rock Cholowski, likely to be the top selection in next month’s MLB draft.
In the face of pressure, USC’s Troy secured an out, but Lev wasn’t fazed. He connected with the first pitch he saw, sending it soaring over the right-center wall, pumping his fist triumphantly as he made his way around the bases.
Lev mentioned that he kept his prior approach in mind, similar to his earlier performance. “I tried to stay calm, took a deep breath, and focused on hitting that fastball,” he shared.
This victory marked UCLA’s fourth triumph over their rival, but both teams have their sights set on the NCAA Tournament. While the Bruins will almost certainly make it, USC’s strong performance under coach Andy Stankiewicz suggests they could also make a splash.
The overarching theme: college baseball is returning to prominence in Los Angeles.
In recent encounters, fans have turned out in droves at UCLA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium, eager to witness this growing rivalry. After enduring a two-decade slump, USC seems to be rediscovering its winning edge, driven by solid pitching, defense, and timely hitting—possibly paving the way for their first College World Series appearance since 2001.
Notably, even rival coaches are excited by USC’s resurgence. UCLA’s coach Jon Savage, who led the Bruins to CWS glory in 2013, remarked, “Having two strong programs in Los Angeles is excellent for local recruiting.”
Given Big Ten scheduling limits both teams to one series per season, Savage expressed interest in arranging another game outside league play, especially given the public enthusiasm following UCLA’s sweep earlier this season.
“It’s certainly worth discussing, considering how much the community wants it,” he said. “The crowd was just as energetic here as at Jackie Robinson Stadium, and there’s great familiarity among the players.”
This might be one of the last times these teams face off, but it’s not the end. “They’re a solid team,” Levoux commented. “We’ll likely cross paths again in the playoffs. Who knows, maybe on the same field.”
