UCLA 5, Nevada 4
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024
Los Angeles, Calif. - Jackie Robinson Stadium

WP: Nate Leibold (1-0)
LP: Dominic Desch (0-1)
SV: Rashad Ruff (2)

LOS ANGELES - UCLA got to Nevada's bullpen late Tuesday night, scoring four times in the seventh to erase a three-run deficit and defeat the Wolf Pack, 5-4.

The heartbreak overshadowed an impressive first start of the season for Theo Millas, who held the Bruins scoreless on just five hits over five innings. At the plate, Jake Harvey went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, and Bryce Matthews hit his first homer in a Nevada uniform, a two-run shot in the first.

Harvey drove in Michael Ball with a single in the third, and JR Freethy's sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth built a 4-0 lead for Nevada (4-3).

Millas handed the ball off to Casey Burfield to start the sixth. UCLA loaded the bases with none out, but Burfield buckled down, striking out Jack Holman and Roch Cholowsky. However, UCLA got on the board with Payton Brennan's bases-loaded walk before Burfield got out of the inning.

Dominic Desch came on in the seventh and struck out Dean West for the first out. But things unraveled quickly—two infield singles and a walk loaded the bases for UCLA. Another walk, this time to Mulivai Levu, forced in a second run.

Desch struck out Holman for the second out, and appeared poised to escape the jam with minimal damage, but a wild pitch allowed Cody Schrier to score to make it 4-3. Cholowsky then plated the two baserunners with a double, giving UCLA (4-3) the 5-4 lead.

Nevada got a leadoff single from Derek Tenney to start the ninth, but Bruin reliever Rashad Ruff got the next three batters to pick up his second save.

UCLA starter Landon Stump gave up four runs on six hits as both Tuesday starters ended up with no decision. Nate Leibold got the win after getting the final two outs of the Wolf Pack sixth.

The Wolf Pack returns to action Friday in Northridge, opening a three-game set at CSUN.