UCLA baseball leaves LMU struggling in the rain following sprinkler mishap

May 6, 2026

UCLA Overcomes Loyola Marymount in Unexpected Game

In a thrilling match against the top-ranked college baseball team, Loyola Marymount almost fell to defeat, but then something unexpected happened: the sprinklers came on.

Tuesday night’s game was briefly interrupted due to a sprinkler malfunction, a novel twist that somehow didn’t phase the dominating UCLA team.

In the bottom of the ninth, with two outs and a two-strike situation, after about a 30-second delay for the sprinklers, Bruins relief pitcher Justin Lee quickly struck out the final batter.

The Bruins collectively struck out 11 batters with no walks, leading to an 8-4 victory over the Lions at Page Stadium.

UCLA’s coach, Jon Savage, expressed satisfaction at how his team continued to develop its players during the last midweek game of the season. Catcher Kasen Cansarinia, who hadn’t started the previous weekend, was impressive with two RBIs and a strong defensive performance. Similarly, second baseman Phoenix Cole, who saw limited play last weekend, also contributed with two hits.

Some relievers who hadn’t seen much action recently performed well against the Lions, who now sit at 12 wins and 38 losses.

“It’s all about building the team and ensuring we have depth for the future,” Savage noted.

Perhaps now all that UCLA needs is an umbrella for these unexpected events.

“I think it was just a matter of time with the rain. The game took so long that the sprinklers decided it was their turn to make an appearance,” Savage joked.

What It Means

The Bruins maintained their strong season momentum, recently becoming the first team nationwide to reach 40 wins before sweeping Michigan State last week.

With just six games remaining in the regular season, UCLA (44-4) is eyeing a potential 50-win mark before entering the Big Ten Tournament.

Turning Point

From the first inning, it seemed like the game was already slipping away from LMU.

UCLA sent eight batters to the plate and scored three runs with just two hits. The Lions’ pitchers struggled, walking two batters and striking out one, which didn’t bode well for their chances against a powerhouse like UCLA.

Did You See That?

UCLA shortstop Rock Cholowski showcased remarkable defensive skills, charging a slow roller in the first and making a great play deep in the hole in the fifth inning.

MVP

Freshman relief pitcher Mac Edwards generated excitement among teammates after a perfect sixth inning. When he struck out the last batter of the inning, his teammates rushed out to celebrate with him.

It was a big moment for Edwards, especially since this was only his second appearance of the season — his prior outing had not gone well.

His recent performances have now significantly reduced his ERA from a staggering 99.00 to a more manageable 9.00.

“It was just fun to see him stay sharp,” Savage remarked.