News Summary
The UCLA Bruins secured a 6-4 victory over the Murray State Racers in their College World Series opener at Charles Schwab Field. This game marked a historic moment for Murray State as it was their first-ever appearance in the prestigious tournament. UCLA established an early lead with a four-run fourth inning, and despite a late comeback by Murray State, UCLA held on to win. Both teams showed resilience, and UCLA will advance in the winner’s bracket while Murray State aims to bounce back in their next match.
Omaha, Nebraska – UCLA Defeats Murray State 6-4 in College World Series Opener
The UCLA Bruins recorded a 6-4 victory over the Murray State Racers in their College World Series opener at Charles Schwab Field on June 14, 2025. This match marked a historic first for Murray State, as it was the team’s inaugural appearance in the prestigious tournament, making them only the fourth-ever No. 4 regional seed to reach the College World Series.
UCLA’s strong offensive performance secured a comfortable early lead, with the Bruins jumping ahead 6-0 after a four-run fourth inning. Key contributions came from Roman Martin and AJ Salgado, who each drove in two runs during the game. Despite being held scoreless for the first five innings, Murray State mounted a commendable comeback attempt, scoring four runs in the later stages of the game. Ultimately, however, they fell short, allowing UCLA to advance to the winner’s bracket.
Game Summary
The Bruins opened the scoring in the first inning when Murray State’s pitcher Nic Schutte issued a bases-loaded walk. Dean West then added to the Bruins’ lead with an RBI single in the second inning, boosting the score to 2-0. The fourth inning proved pivotal as UCLA erupted for four runs, primarily due to Salgado’s two-run double and an additional RBI single. This offensive output helped them establish a significant 6-0 lead.
In the fifth inning, Murray State finally registered its first run with a single from Carson Garner. The Racers fought back further in the eighth inning, scoring two additional runs, thanks to back-to-back RBI groundouts from Charlie Jury and Conner Cunningham, narrowing the gap to 6-4.
Pivotal Performances
UCLA’s pitcher maintained solid control throughout most of the game, while Schutte, on the other hand, struggled initially. He walked three batters in the first inning and allowed multiple hits before being relieved. However, despite the rough start, Murray State’s Dylan Zentko showcased impressive performance in relief, pitching two hitless innings. Additionally, UCLA’s closer, Easton Hawk, sealed the victory by pitching a perfect ninth inning.
Next Steps
With this victory, UCLA improved its record to 48-16 for the season and recorded a notable 27-1 when scoring first in games. The Bruins are now set to face the winner of the matchup between No. 3 Arkansas and No. 6 LSU in their next game.
Murray State, while facing the disappointment of a loss, demonstrated great resilience and fighting spirit throughout the game. They will play against the loser of the Arkansas-LSU match in the loser’s bracket, offering them another chance to compete in the tournament.
Historical Context
Murray State’s inaugural College World Series appearance marked a significant achievement for the program, showcasing their growth and competitiveness at a national level. Coach Dan Skirka expressed pride in the team’s tenacity and commitment displayed during the game, highlighting the contributions of players like Jonathan Hogart and Dustin Mercer. The Racers’ strong performance in their first-ever College World Series encounter is a testament to their developing talent and potential for future successes.
As the tournament continues, both UCLA and Murray State will look to build on this experience, with UCLA aiming to advance further in the winner’s bracket and Murray State looking to bounce back in the loser’s bracket.
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Additional Resources
- USA Today
- Wikipedia: College World Series
- Murray State Athletics
- Google Search: Murray State baseball College World Series
- ESPN
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College World Series
- Los Angeles Times
- Google News: UCLA baseball Murray State
- UCLA Athletics
- KFVS12 News
