UCLA's offense explodes past Michigan State in 13-11 comeback win

TL;DR

UCLA's baseball team staged a dramatic comeback, scoring 11 runs in the last three innings to defeat Michigan State 13-11 after trailing by eight runs in the seventh inning.

Key points

UCLA scored 11 runs in the last three innings
UCLA was down by eight runs in the seventh inning
Aiden Aguayo's hit-by-pitch sparked the comeback
Final score was UCLA 13, Michigan State 11
Game took place at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles

Mentioned in this story

Jackie Robinson Stadium

UCLA BruinsMichigan State SpartansNCAA baseball

UCLA infielder, Mulivai Levu (39) celebrates after scoring during an NCAA baseball game against USC on April 4th, 2026 at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles, CA.

(Justin Mendez-The Sporting Tribune)

The UCLA Bruins scored 11 runs in the final three innings of Sunday's game to defeat the Michigan State Spartans 13-11.

UCLA was behind eight runs in the seventh inning, following Michigan State's relentless hitting from the early to middle stages of the game. But a leadoff hit-by-pitch for second baseman Aiden Aguayo sparked a resurgence that ultimately swayed the momentum back towards UCLA.

Michigan State reliever Tommy Szczepanski walked three consecutive UCLA batters after the hit-by-pitch on Aguayo to bring in a run. A bases-loaded groundout from first baseman Mulivai Levu scored another, then a chopping RBI-double from right fielder Payton Brennan made the score 10-5 with runners on second and third.

UCLA continued to string together a series of hits that cut away at Michigan State's lead, such as a two-RBI double from centerfielder Will Gasparino lofted to shallow right field and an RBI single from catcher Cashel Dugger. UCLA's lead was 10-7 going into the bottom of the seventh.

Michigan State left fielder Nick Williams responded with a solo home run to right field that provided an insurance run for the Spartans.

But in the eighth inning, UCLA left fielder Dean West answered with a shot to right-center field that climbed Michigan State's outfield hill and permitted a triple with shortstop Roch Cholowsky next at the plate. Cholowsky grounded a ball to short stop that resulted in a throwing error to score West.

A walk from Levu brought UCLA third baseman Roman Martin to bat with two runners on base. Martin drove a 1-2 pitch to the left center wall to score Cholowsky and make it an 11-10 game.

Brennan took the plate again with Bruins on second and third. He lifted a sacrifice fly ball to left field that allowed Levu to reach home and tie the score 11-11.

UCLA pitcher Zach Strickland retired three straight in the bottom of the eighth to pave the way for the Bruins to take the lead in the ninth.

Q&A

How did UCLA come back to win against Michigan State?

UCLA scored 11 runs in the final three innings, starting with a hit-by-pitch for Aiden Aguayo that ignited their comeback.

What was the score of the UCLA vs. Michigan State baseball game?

The final score was UCLA 13, Michigan State 11.

Who was the key player in UCLA's comeback against Michigan State?

Second baseman Aiden Aguayo played a crucial role by getting hit by a pitch, which sparked UCLA's offensive resurgence.

When did UCLA defeat Michigan State in baseball?

UCLA defeated Michigan State on April 4th, 2026.