LOS ANGELES – There were no memorable hits in the decisive innings.
In one, in fact, there were no hits at all.
That didn't matter to Omaha's players, who had a night in L.A. that they'll likely never forget.
The Mavericks notched their second win over a ranked opponent in as many seasons, knocking off UCLA 9-4 on Wednesday at Jackie Robinson Stadium. The Bruins, who are rated as high as No. 21 in one poll, made a pair of costly errors during a three-run Omaha seventh. The Mavericks never looked back after.
"It was back and forth for about three innings in a row there," Omaha coach
Evan Porter said. "Our guys did a great job of just sticking with it. They were gritty tonight. And they pulled out a pretty big victory."
The Mavericks hung with UCLA through six frames, then took the lead by plating three unearned runs on a pair of Bruin errors in the seventh. The UCLA bullpen then gifted the Mavericks three more runs in the eighth by walking four batters and hitting two others with pitches. Omaha never put the ball in play.
Porter credited his players for their patience at the plate in the eighth, which led to a five-run cushion.
"Having quality at-bats doesn't necessarily mean getting a base hit," he said. "We had guys fighting in the box, working their way on and not chasing. UCLA has got some pretty good arms out there. When you see those guys throwing low- to mid-90s with wipeout stuff, it can be hard not to chase. Our guys did a good job of that. Putting one after another after another gave us three runs that put us up five."
Winning pitcher
Brady Posch and
Tanner Howe held the Bruins scoreless over the final three innings to secure the signature win. Omaha's last win over a ranked opponent came at Oklahoma early last season.
The Mavericks didn't have a hit on Wednesday until
Eddie Satisky singled the other way with one out in the fifth inning. UCLA starter Thatcher Hurd was dominant through five innings, striking out 11 of the 19 batters he faced. Omaha managed to get Satisky around the bases in the fifth to tie the score at 1-1.
Jackson Gordon started for the Mavericks and pitched three scoreless innings. Omaha's bullpen handled the final six frames, blanking the Bruins in every inning but the sixth. UCLA, however, got a two-run triple from Malakhi Knight to move in front after
Mike Boeve had put the Mavericks up 2-1 in the sixth.
It was 4-3 when the Bruins made consecutive throwing errors during Omaha's four-run seventh. The final six runs the Mavericks scored in the game came from either defensive miscues or pitching struggles.
Porter, whose team moved to 2-3 on the season, put the win over a traditional power in perspective.
"Everyone is working on things and trying to figure out their identity. But when you go up against teams like that, and you compete with them, it can show you how close you are to competing at that level," he said. "Our guys did a great job tonight. Not only did they compete with them, they pulled out a 'W.'
"Our better days are ahead of us. We can be better now too. There is still lots to work on. We're five games in now, and we have 51 games left in our season. There is a long way to go and a lot of work to do. But it's nice when the guys are rewarded for all their hard work in moments like today."
