University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Tuesday, March 25
Los Angeles, CA
6:00 PM (PT)
UCLA
19-5
9
vs
8
LMU
14-11
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 3 |
| UCLA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 1 |
Cameron Kim
Photo by: Elijah Carr
Kim's Walk-Off Hit Lifts No. 24 UCLA Over LMU in Thrilling 9-8 Victory
March 25, 2025 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES – Cameron Kim provided the heroics in the bottom of the ninth, delivering a walk-off base hit to lift No. 24 UCLA over LMU, 9-8, on Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
UCLA (19-5, 7-2 Big Ten) jumped out to an early lead, but LMU (14-11, 2-1 WCC) clawed back, taking an 8-6 advantage in the seventh inning. The Bruins' bats came alive when it mattered most, scoring twice in the ninth to secure the walk-off victory.
Kim, starting at second base for just the third time this season, had a two-hit day, driving in two runs. Blake Balsz was highly productive, going 1-for-4 with four RBIs and a run scored.
Grant Gray enjoyed an excellent debut start, launching a two-run home run in what was his first career hit. Roman Martin banged out three hits and Mulivai Levu collected two.
Both teams emptied the bullpen on Tuesday night with a combined 17 pitchers toeing the rubber in the contest. LMU brought nine pitchers to the mound while UCLA used eight.
Easton Hawk made his collegiate debut on the bump, tossing one of the game's few scoreless innings.
After three straight scoreless frames to start the contest, LMU opened the scoring with Beau Ankeney's solo shot to lead off the top of the fourth.
UCLA immediately replied with five runs in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead. Back-to-back knocks from Levu and Martin set the table for Balsz, who promptly drove them home with his line drive base hit to left field.
Balsz was able to race all the way to third base after the ball was misplayed by the left fielder, allowing Cameron Kim to score UCLA's designated hitter with a ground out to second base. Gray capped the five-run inning with a two-run blast, a no-doubt homer to left-center field.
This home run was a memorable one for Gray as it was also his first career hit.
In the sixth, LMU cut the lead to one with a three-run rally. The Bruins responded in the bottom half when Cashel Dugger executed a bunt in a first-and-third situation, successfully bringing the runner home from third base.
LMU regained the lead in the seventh, scoring four runs on three hits. Blake Balsz drew a bases-loaded walk to get a run back for UCLA in its next trip to the plate, making it a one-run game and setting the stage for a thrilling ninth.
Levu led off the last of the ninth by ripping a double in the right-center gap to represent the tying run. Martin followed by slapping a single through the right side, then Salgado walked to load the bases with no outs.
Balsz then hit a grounder to shortstop, beating out the throw to avoid a double play and bring home the tying run.
Kim came up with the biggest swing of the day, lifting a fly ball over the right fielder's head to plate the winning run and give UCLA yet another come-from-behind victory, it's 11th of the campaign.
The Bruins are set to travel to West Lafayette, Ind. for the opening game of a three-game set at Purdue on Friday, March 28 at 3 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET). The games will be available to watch on B1G+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Rodriguez, Luke (2-0)
L: Jacob Hughes (0-2)
Batting:
2B: Zion Williams 1
HR: Beau Ankeney 1
RBI: Beau Ankeney 1 ; Zion Williams 1 ; Devan Ornelas 2 ; DJ Ghiorso 3 ; Nate Savoie 1
SF: Nate Savoie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cam Hassert 1 ; Beau Ankeney 3 ; Zion Williams 2 ; Devan Ornelas 1 ; Ashten Wong 1
HBP: Devan Ornelas 1 ; Nate Savoie 1 ; Ashten Wong 1
Batting:
2B: Brennan, Payton 1 ; Levu, Mulivai 1 ; Martin, Roman 2
HR: Gray, Grant 1
RBI: Balsz, Blake 4 ; Kim, Cameron 2 ; Dugger, Cashel 1 ; Gray, Grant 2
SH: Dugger, Cashel 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Levu, Mulivai 2 ; Call, Phoenix 1 ; Martin, Roman 1 ; Bythewood, Toussaint 1 ; Salgado, AJ 1 ; Balsz, Blake 1 ; Dugger, Cashel 1 ; Gray, Grant 1
SB: Brennan, Payton 1
CS: Brennan, Payton 1
HBP: Brennan, Payton 1
Game Leaders
AB
5
R
1
H
3
RBI
0
AB
5
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
AB
5
R
0
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
C
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RHP
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