{"id":284438,"date":"2026-04-24T22:05:24","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T22:05:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/284438\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T22:05:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T22:05:24","slug":"no-1-ucla-hosts-sacramento-state-for-nonconference-series-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/284438\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 1 UCLA Hosts Sacramento State for Nonconference Series"},"content":{"rendered":"

LOS ANGELES – The No.1-ranked UCLA baseball team will conclude its homestand when it hosts Sacramento State for a three-game set beginning on Friday, April 24 at 6 p.m. PT. Saturday’s game will start at 2 p.m. PT and Sunday’s series finale is set for a 1 p.m. PT first pitch. The games will be available for viewing on B1G+ with Nick Koop<\/a> and Sid Iyer on the call. Fans can also follow along with live stats (StatBroadcast) and X\/Twitter updates (@UCLABaseball).
\n\u00a0
\nSERIES INFORMATION

\nVenue: Jackie Robinson Stadium
\nFirst Pitch: 6 PM \/ 2 PM \/ 1 PM
\nTelevision: B1G+
\nTalent: Nick Koop<\/a> (pxp), Sid Iyer (analyst)
\nLive Stats: UCLA.statbroadcast.com
\n\u00a0
\nTHE RUNDOWN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n


\n\tUCLA entered the season as the preseason No. 1 ranked team (D1Baseball.com and Baseball America)
\n\tUCLA is the consensus No. 1 team in the country as it is ranked No. 1 by all prominent outlets (D1B, BA, USAT, PG, NCBWA)
\n\tUCLA is off to its best start to a season (37-3) since 2010 when the Bruins opened the year 22-0
\n\tUCLA became the first Division I team to reach 30 wins on Apr. 7 at Cal State Fullerton
\n\tUCLA’s 27-game winning streak from Feb. 27 to Apr. 12 was the longest in program history
\n\tThe Bruins’ 21-0 start to Big Ten play marks their best league start in program history
\n\tUCLA out-scored its opponents 255-85 during the 27-game winning streak
\n\tLogan Reddemann<\/a> matched the program record with 18 strikeouts on April 10 vs. Rutgers
\n\tRoch Cholowsky<\/a> was named a Brooks Wallace Award Semifinalist
\n\tLogan Reddemann<\/a> and Wylan Moss<\/a> were named to the Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List
\n\tThe UCLA pitching staff combined for 30 strikeouts on April 10 vs. Rutgers, which is one shy of the all-time NCAA record
\n\tMulivai Levu<\/a> and Will Gasparino<\/a> lead the Bruins with 18 multi-hit games each this season
\n\tCal Randall<\/a> has fired nine straight scoreless outings, allowing just one hit with 19 strikeouts and five walks
\n\tThe Bruins went undefeated (18-0) in the month of March
\n\tUCLA has earned seven wins via the run-rule this season, including six during the 27-game win streak
\n\tUCLA swept Ohio State, Michigan, Maryland, Iowa, USC, Rutgers, and Minnesota for seven straight Big Ten sweeps
\n\tUCLA ranks second nationally in team ERA (3.11)
\n\tThe Bruins are ranked third in the nation for hit-by-pitches with 102 on the season
\n\tRoch Cholowsky<\/a> is the Big Ten leader in runs scored with 52 on the year
\n\tUCLA is ranked 13th in the nation for on-base percentage with a mark of .428
\n\tUCLA scored 40 runs in the OSU sweep, its most in any series since 2023 and its most in a conference series since 2022
\n\tWill Gasparino<\/a> was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series
\n\tGasparino leads the team in hitting, posting a .358 average with 17 home runs and 54 RBIs
\n\tWylan Moss<\/a> was recently named to the National Pitcher of the Year Watch List by the College Baseball Foundation
\n\tThe Bruins have nine victories over ranked opponents
\n\tUCLA made its sixth appearance at the CWS and fourth under Head Coach John Savage<\/a> in 2025
\n\tUCLA won eight of its 10 conference series to earn a share of the Big Ten Conference regular season title
\n\tRoch Cholowsky<\/a> was named Big Ten Player of the Year, the league’s defensive player of the year, and received a First Team nod
\n\tUCLA’s 48 wins are its most since 2019 and fifth-most in program history
\n\tSix different Bruins received All-Conference honors: Cholowsky (1st), Levu, Barnett, Martin, Salgado (2nd), and Moss (FT)
\n\tThe program has earned 16 winning records in 21 seasons under HC John Savage<\/a>
\n\tUCLA won 13 of its 15 weekend series last season and won every series played at Jackie Robinson Stadium
\n\tUCLA went 31-7 at Jackie Robinson Stadium last season
\n\tCholowsky was named Player of the Year and a First Team All-American by four outlets (ABCA\/Rawlings, BA, D1B, PG)
\n\tCholowsky also won the Brooks Wallace Award, honoring him as the nation’s top shortstop
\n\tCholowsky’s 23 home runs was the most by a Bruin since 2000 (Forrest Johnson)
\n\tIn 2023, the Bruins welcomed the top signing class in the country
\n\tThe Bruins were picked to finish first in the Big Ten Preseason Poll
\n\tTransfer pitcher Logan Reddemann<\/a> (San Diego) and Will Gasparino<\/a> (Texas) headline the incoming transfer portal class <\/p>\n

\u00a0
\nWEEKEND RECAP
\nNo.\u00a01 UCLA swept Minnesota behind dominant pitching, timely power, and three straight late-inning surges at Jackie Robinson Stadium. The Bruins opened the weekend with a 4-2 comeback win on Friday, using a four-run fifth inning and six combined shutout frames from the bullpen to erase an early deficit. On Saturday, UCLA rallied again, erupting for four runs in the sixth to secure a 6-4 victory and clinch the series, highlighted by Mulivai Levu<\/a> and Roman Martin’s<\/a> two-RBI performances and Easton Hawk’s<\/a> four-out save. The Bruins finished the sweep on Sunday with a 5-2 win powered by home runs from Martin and Will Gasparino<\/a>, plus 3.1 hitless innings from the bullpen as Hawk capped a dominant weekend with his third save in as many days. UCLA improved to 36-3 overall and remained perfect in Big Ten play at 21-0.
\n\u00a0
\nPROJECTED PITCHING MATCHUPS

\nFriday, April 24 – 6 p.m. PT
\nUCLA \u2013 Jr. RHP Wylan Moss<\/a> (4-0, 1.57 ERA)
\nSAC \u2013 Sr. RHP Ethan Lay (4-1, 1.93 ERA)
\nSaturday, April 25 – 2 p.m. PT
\nUCLA \u2013 Sr. RHP\u00a0Michael Barnett<\/a> (6-0, 3.35 ERA)
\nSAC \u2013 Jr. RHP Isaac Morton (3-2, 3.88 ERA)
\nSunday, April 26 – 1 p.m. PT\u00a0
\nUCLA \u2013 Jr. RHP Landon Stump<\/a> (2-0, 3.13 ERA)
\nSAC \u2013 Jr. RHP Marcus Kruzan (3-2, 3.19 ERA)
\n\u00a0
\nABOUT THE HORNETS
\nSacramento State enters 2026 with real momentum under longtime head coach Reggie Christiansen after reclaiming a share of the WAC title in 2025 and returning a strong core that supplied more than half of last year’s at-bats and nearly half of the innings. The lineup is deep and left-leaning, anchored by star third baseman Jakob Poturnak, a physical right-handed hitter coming off a breakout season, and switch-hitting first baseman Luis Pimentel-Guerrero, the team’s leading hitter and on-base machine. Impact newcomers like pure-hitting outfielder Erick Dessens and high-ceiling freshman Sam Harry add athleticism and upside, while veterans Ryan Christiansen and catcher Jacob Cortez provide stability and leadership. On the mound, ace Ethan Lay returns to front the rotation after a strong 2025 built on elite command, with transfers Kurt Marton and Carson Timothy expected to fill key weekend roles. The program’s resurgence, combined with its upcoming move to the Big West and a growing track record of player development, including multiple recent MLB alumni, has re-energized recruiting and reaffirmed Sacramento State’s place among the West Coast’s most consistent mid-major contenders.
\n\u00a0
\nBRINGING THE HEAT\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\nUCLA rode a historic overpowering pitching performance to a 4-1, 14-inning win at Rutgers, a result that underscored why the Bruins lead the Big Ten with a 3.07 team ERA. Logan Reddemann<\/a> delivered one of the most dominant outings in program history, matching the school record with 18 strikeouts over eight innings while allowing just two hits and a single run, including fanning 11 of the final 12 batters he faced. Reddemann also produced 34 whiffs in the contest, which is the most in a Division I game this season. His effort anchored a staff that piled up 30 strikeouts, one shy of the NCAA single-game record, and set the tone for a night where UCLA’s arms once again proved to be the backbone of the nation’s top-ranked team.
\n\u00a0
\nMIDSEASON AWARDS\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n

\u00a0
\nSEEING REDD\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\nLogan Reddemann<\/a> was named Golden Spikes Player of the Week, College Baseball Pitcher of the Week, and Big Ten Pitcher of the Week following his dominant outing on April 10 at Rutgers. Reddemann matched the UCLA program record with 18 strikeouts over 8.0 innings, anchoring a Bruins pitching staff that piled up 30 Ks, just one shy of the NCAA all-time single-game record, in a 4-1, 14-inning series-opening win over Rutgers. The right-hander allowed just two hits and one run, punctuating his night by fanning 11 of the final 12 batters he faced. His 18 punchouts tied Rob Henkel’s mark set against Washington in 2000. Before this game, the most innings Reddemann pitched was 6.1 against Iowa on March 27.
\n\u00a0
\nMAGNIFICENT MOSS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\nSophomore right-hander Wylan Moss<\/a> was named to the National Pitcher of the Year Award Watch List by the College Baseball Foundation. Moss has been nothing short of dominant to open the 2026 campaign, allowing just three earned runs across 34.1 innings while piling up 42 strikeouts. He owns a 1.57 ERA and is holding opponents to a .200 average. His signature outing came in UCLA’s win over No. 7 TCU, where he delivered four scoreless innings to earn the save and recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts, including an astonishing nine straight to end the game, with eight swinging.
\n\u00a0
\nTHE GREAT GASPARINO\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\nWill Gasparino<\/a> was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series after a blistering weekend in Arlington, going 5-for-11 with four home runs while leading UCLA to a perfect 3-0 showing against ranked opponents. The Los Angeles native delivered his third multi homer game of the season in a 12-5 win over No. 20 Tennessee, added another blast in the victory over No. 23 Texas A&M, and capped his dominant run with yet another homer in the extra innings thriller against No. 4 Mississippi State.
\n\u00a0
\nRETURNING PRODUCTION\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\nIn an era of college baseball defined by heavy transfer-portal movement, UCLA has taken a different path by retaining its core talent and reaping the rewards. No program in Division I returns more production for 2026, with the Bruins bringing back an impressive 83 percent of their overall output. That includes 85 percent of last season’s plate appearances and 78 percent of the innings pitched, giving UCLA one of the most stable and experienced rosters in the country.
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