UCLA baseball sweeps Michigan State with a late inning comeback

No. 1 UCLA baseball completed the sweep over Michigan State with a 13-11 come-from-behind win in their series finale at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium in East Lansing, Mi. on Sunday.

The Bruins were held to defensive battles in their first two games against the Spartans, but this time it was an offensive explosion. UCLA's batters struggled to get home for most of the game, but a late game comeback helped them get the win and boost their stats with 13 hits and 13 runs.

Spartans start strong

UCLA struck first with junior first baseman's Mulivai Levu homer to center field in the top of the first, but Michigan State got the better of junior right-handed pitcher Landon Stump. In the bottom of the first, Stump gave up three-hits that were capped off with a two-run homer to give them the lead, 3-1.

Two runs in two innings

In the top of the second, the Bruins scored their second run of the game with redshirt junior outfielder Payton Brennan crossing home from third. Stump held Michigan State without a run in the second, but he couldn't keep the Spartans run-less for long. In the bottom of the third, Michigan State added their fourth run of the game off of a single and fielding error by UCLA.

Six runs in three innings

Stump gave up his fifth run of the game in the top of the fourth and senior right-handed pitcher Jack O'Connor stepped on the mound in relief. O'Connor gave up a run after stepping on the mound and another pitching change was made to junior left-handed pitcher Chris Grothues.

Grothues struggled in the fifth and after giving up a run, UCLA had junior right-handed pitcher Jack Swenson step in relief. Swenson was unable to get an out during his time on the mound and UCLA switched to junior right-handed pitcher Justin Lee after Swenson allowed a run.