LOS ANGELES – The UCLA baseball team fought back from an eight-run deficit to get the game-tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but ultimately came up short in a 10-7 series-opening loss to California on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Cal (19-23, 7-15 Pac-12) built an 8-0 lead through 4 1/2 innings on the strength of four home runs, but the Bruins (24-17-1, 10-10-1) started to charge back in the fifth, rallying for a single run in that frame before putting together a five-run sixth.

Sophomore first baseman Jack Holman had the big swing of that rally, unloading on a first-pitch fastball with the bases loaded and sending it off the netting covering the scoreboard in right-center field for a grand slam that brought UCLA within two at 8-6.

Junior second baseman Daylen Reyes (2-5, run) sparked that rally with a one-out double, starting a streak of four consecutive Bruins to reach base before Holman's blast.

Cal re-established a four-run lead with a two-spot in the seventh, and held UCLA off the scoreboard from there until the ninth.

The Bruins got three aboard in the ninth, plating one and ultimately getting the game-tying run to the plate with two outs, but the contest came to an end on a flyout to right.

Cal was led by center fielder Rodney Green Jr., who had a pair of solo home runs. Leadoff man Max Handron (2-6, HR, three RBIs) and DH Dom Souto (2-4, three RBIs) also drove in multiple runs. On the mound, Christian Becerra started the game with four scoreless innings but ultimately allowed six earned over 5 1/3 innings while righty Tyler Stasiowksi went the rest of the way to earn his first save of the year.

UCLA and Cal continue the series on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. PT.