Down 7-2 against No. 1 UCLA after five innings, the Terps needed to play perfectly in the sixth to avoid being swept by the Bruins. Instead, two beanballs and two walks across the half inning helped UCLA score four more runs on just one hit. 

The Bruins’ offense continued to dominate until the Terps were mercy ruled in the bottom of the 8th inning, in a 14-4 loss. The loss cemented the series sweep, with UCLA ending the game via mercy rule for the second time in the series.

After junior Brayden Martin walked to start the game, first baseman Ryan Costello mashed a ball to deep left field which nearly left the park, but UCLA outfielder Dean West was able to snare it and avoid a shocking first strike from the Dirty Terps.

Though Brayden Martin stole second base shortly after, three quick outs for Maryland’s next three batters left him stranded. Sophomore righty Jake Yeager took the mound to face off against the Bruins’ lineup.

UCLA’s bats quickly showed why the team’s ranked No. 1.

West and infielder Mulivai Levu collected singles, with West eventually advancing to third. Junior infielder Roman Martin would bring them both home on a triple soon after. 

A groundout from outfielder Payton Brennan got Roman Martin across home plate and increased the Bruins’ lead to three. Yeager was able to get a third out and mitigate any further damage, but Maryland’s offense needed to get going quickly.

Unfortunately for the Terps, the top of the second but the inning ended abruptly after freshman shortstop Ty Kaunas grounded into a double play. Things went from bad to worse when the Bruins loaded the bases off a walk and two hit-by-pitches from Yeager. 

After West brought Cashel Dugger home on a single, Terps head coach Matt Swope quickly pulled Yeager from the mound. Sophomore right-hander Logan Hastings entered with the difficult task of getting out of the inning with no outs and the bases still loaded.