UCLA Baseball Faces Setback Before Tournament
Before the game even began, UCLA’s top-ranked baseball team encountered a significant setback.
Aidan Aguayo, the second baseman who was set to bat sixth on their lineup for the NCAA Tournament opener, sustained an injury during warm-ups.
“He rolled his ankle on the tarp and couldn’t play,” said UCLA coach Jon Savage.
The Bruins, already facing challenges, went on to lose 3-2 to St. Mary’s at Jackie Robinson Stadium. This loss marked a historic moment as they became the first No. 1 seed to be defeated by a No. 4 seed in the tournament’s opening round.
Adding to their troubles, the team was already missing ace Logan Redman due to arm strain and center fielder Will Gasparino, who was suspended for one game following a confrontation in the Big Ten Tournament. This left UCLA with not just Aguayo missing but significantly diminished options.
Things only got trickier from there.
Outfielder Peyton Brennan, after injuring his abdomen during his second at-bat, tried to carry on but eventually had to leave the field in the fifth inning after meeting with Savage and the team trainer.
Ultimately, UCLA found themselves without three regular starters, in addition to missing a key pitcher.
“I’m really disappointed that I didn’t get to play in a game we won 51-6 beforehand,” Savage shared. “It’s frustrating to prepare for a challenge and then face such random injuries right before.”
With both Brennan and Gasparino out, Savage was forced to shuffle the outfield, moving Phoenix Cole to center and Jarrod Hocking to right field. Unfortunately, they managed only one hit in six at-bats against the two St. Mary’s pitchers.
The health status of both Brennan and Aguayo remains uncertain as they brace for an elimination game against Virginia Tech or Cal Poly on Saturday. The coaching staff is evaluating both players.
Historically, UCLA (51-7) has navigated through tough scenarios. Back in 2019, after securing the top overall seed, they lost their second regional game at Jackie Robinson Stadium but rallied to win three straight and reach the super regional, where they ultimately fell to Michigan.
Now, the Bruins need to win four games in a row to move on to the Super Regional. They’ve often overcome last-minute hurdles, like their impressive 9-2 victory in tight games leading up to their matchup with the Gaels.
“This was my view into what happens behind the scenes,” Savage mused. “The ups and downs can evoke laughter and sometimes tears.”
So how do they keep their footing on this challenging path?
“It’s all about toughness and competitiveness,” Savage emphasized. “These qualities come through consistent effort day in and day out. You can’t rush ahead or feel sorry for yourself; that’s just how tournaments go, especially in a double-elimination format.”
“When you start to feel too comfortable, that’s when things can get shaky. The current situation feels uneasy, but hey, that’s okay. This is an opportunity for our players to rise to the occasion.”
