FROM VARIOUS REPORTS
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Regional opened with a pair of upsets on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Jackie Robinson Stadium, as Saint Mary’s College and Cal Poly both captured victories to advance to the winner’s bracket.
In the early game, Saint Mary’s (35-25) stunned host and National number 1 seed UCLA (51-7) with a dramatic 3-2 victory. The Gaels were powered by designated hitter Jacob Johnson, who provided the game-winning hit with a clutch solo home run in the top of the ninth inning. Johnson was the leading hitter of the contest, finishing the day 3-for-4 with two homers and two RBIs.
The Bruins initially responded to Johnson’s fourth-inning blast when Roman Martin launched a solo home run in the bottom half of the frame. UCLA then took a 2-1 lead in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Roch Cholowsky that scored Trey Gudoy. However, Saint Mary’s tied the game in the sixth courtesy of an RBI double down the right-field line by Makoa Sniffen, setting the stage for Johnson’s late-game heroics.
Reliever Cam Staton (4-3) earned the win for Saint Mary’s, tossing two scoreless innings out of the bullpen. UCLA’s Hawk (6-3) took the loss after surrendering the deciding ninth-inning run. The contest lasted 3 hours and 8 minutes, drawing 1,898 fans under 68-degree, clear skies.
In the evening slate, Cal Poly (31-24) secured a convincing 6-2 victory over Virginia Tech (36-23). After Virginia Tech’s Nick Locurto hit an RBI single in the bottom of the second, Cal Poly answered immediately. In the top of the second, Gavin Spiridonoff tied the game with an RBI groundout, and Dante Vachini gave Cal Poly the lead with an RBI single.
Cal Poly steadily built its lead with a Cam Hoiland solo home run in the third, followed by RBI singles from Casey Murray Jr. in both the fourth and sixth innings. Alejandro Garza also chipped in an RBI groundout in the fifth. Virginia Tech’s only other run came in the seventh when Owen Petrich grounded into a double play, allowing Pete Daniel to score an unearned run. Murray Jr. led the Cal Poly offense, going 4-for-5 with two RBIs.
Starter Naess (8-4) claimed the win for Cal Poly, striking out nine batters over seven innings of two-run ball. Virginia Tech starter Eisenreich (2-3) was tagged with the loss. Bonn secured his 16th save of the year with 1.1 scoreless innings. Played under 68-degree, partly cloudy weather, the nightcap drew 1,680 spectators and lasted 3 hours and 32 minutes.
Following Friday’s results, Saturday’s schedule is Cal Poly (32-24) and Saint Mary’s (36-25) advance to face each other in the regional winner’s bracket. UCLA (51-8) and Virginia Tech (36-24) will battle in an elimination game.
This was created with AI assistance using content provided by the StatBroadcast, and edited for content and accuracy by the webmaster.
