No. 1 UCLA Hosts UC San Diego to Begin 2026 Campaign

Friday, February 13

Los Angeles, CA

5:00 PM (PT)

UCLA

UC San Diego

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Roch Cholowsky and Phoenix Call

Photo by: Ross Turteltaub

No. 1 UCLA Hosts UC San Diego to Begin 2026 Campaign

February 11, 2026 | Baseball

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LOS ANGELES - The No.1-ranked UCLA baseball team will open its 2026 campaign this weekend when it hosts UC San Diego for a three-game home series beginning on Friday, Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. PT. Saturday's contest is slated for a 2 p.m. first pitch, and Sunday's series finale will begin at 1 p.m. The games will be broadcast on B1G+ with Nick Koop and Sid Iyer on the call. Fans can also follow along with live stats (StatBroadcast) and X/Twitter updates (@UCLABaseball).

GAME INFORMATION
Venue: Jackie Robinson Stadium (Feb. 13-15)
Games
Friday, Feb. 13 – 5 p.m. (PT)
Saturday, Feb. 14 – 2 p.m. (PT)
Sunday, Feb. 15 – 1 p.m. (PT)
Stream: B1G+
Talent: Nick Koop (play-by-play), Sid Iyer (analyst)
Live Stats: ucla.statbroadcast.com

THE RUNDOWN

UCLA enters the season as the preseason No. 1 ranked team (D1Baseball.com)
UCLA made its sixth appearance at the CWS and fourth under Head Coach John Savage in 2025
The Bruins swept through postseason play to advance to the College World Series
UCLA defeated UTSA twice in the Los Angeles Super Regional
The Bruins were selected as the No. 15 national seed and hosted its first NCAA Super Regional since 2019
UCLA earned its seventh super regional berth and sixth under Coach Savage
The Bruins returned to the postseason for the 15th time in the last 21 seasons
UCLA won eight of its 10 conference series to earn a share of the Big Ten Conference regular season title
Roch Cholowsky was named Big Ten Player of the Year, the league's defensive player of the year, and received a First Team nod
UCLA's 48 wins are its most since 2019 and fifth-most in program history
UCLA claimed its first conference title since 2019
HC John Savage secured his fifth conference championship at UCLA
Six different Bruins received All-Conference honors: Cholowsky (1st), Levu, Barnett, Martin, Salgado (2nd), and Moss (FT)
The program has earned 16 winning records in 21 seasons under HC John Savage
UCLA's defense led the country in double plays (66) and double plays-per-game (1.00) in 2025
UCLA won 13 of its 15 weekend series last season and won every series played at Jackie Robinson Stadium
UCLA went 31-7 at Jackie Robinson Stadium this season
UCLA's team fielding percentage of .982 ranked seventh nationally and first in the Big Ten last season
UCLA collected five weekend sweeps, including four during Big Ten play in 2025
Cholowsky was named Player of the Year and a First Team All-American by four outlets (ABCA/Rawlings, BA, D1B, PG)
Cholowsky also won the Brooks Wallace Award, honoring him as the nation's top shortstop
According to data compiled by 643 charts, Cholowsky led the nation in wins-above-replacement (WAR) at 6.49 in 2025
Cholowsky's 23 home runs was the most by a Bruin since 2000 (Forrest Johnson)
Cholowsky led the team in hitting at .353, with 23 home runs, 74 RBIs, .710 SLG%, and a B1G-best OPS of 1.190
Dean West broke the single-season HBP record with 22 last season
Michael Barnett ranked third in the nation and topped the Big Ten with 12 wins in 2025
Mulivai Levu ranked second in the nation and led the Big Ten with 85 RBIs in his sophomore campaign
Levu and Cholowsky have combined for the most RBIs (159) by a UCLA duo since 1997
In 2023, the Bruins welcomed the top signing class in the country
The Bruins were picked to finish first in the Big Ten Preseason Poll
Transfer pitcher Logan Reddemann (San Diego) and Will Gasparino (Texas) headline the incoming transfer portal class

UCLA ON OPENING DAY
UCLA is opening the season at home for the 16th consecutive season, and the 23rd time in the last 24 seasons. The Bruins are 15-6 on Opening Day under head coach John Savage (since 2005) and have won their opening series in 11 of the last 13 years. Last year, UCLA opened the season by sweeping Cal Poly in a three-game set in Westwood. The Bruins out-scored the Mustangs 37-4 on the weekend.

PROJECTED PITCHING MATCHUPS
Friday, Feb. 13 - 5 p.m. PT
UCLA – Jr. RHP Logan Reddemann
UCSD – RS So. RHP Steele Murdock

Saturday, Feb. 14 - 2 p.m. PT
UCLA – Sr. RHP Michael Barnett
USCD – Gr. RHP Nic Gregson

Sunday, Feb. 15 - 1 p.m. PT
UCLA – Jr. RHP Landon Stump
UCSD – RS Fr. RHP Austin Bowker

ABOUT THE TRITONS
UC San Diego closed the season at 26-25 overall and 15-15 in Big West play under 14th-year head coach Eric Newman, finishing in a tie for sixth place in the conference standings. The Tritons went 11-16 on the road, but delivered several notable performances away from home, including three road-series victories. Their most impressive result came in a series win over nationally ranked, defending Big West champion UC Irvine The 2026 season will mark UC San Diego's second to last in the Big West, as they will join the West Coast Conference (WCC) on July 1, 2027. Seven Tritons received All-Big West honors following the 2025 season. J.C. Allen, Gabe Camacho and Michael Crossland were named to the All-Big West First Team, while Matthew Dalquist earned an All-Big West Second Team nod. Alex Leopard, Anthony Potestio and Spencer Seid received All-Big West Honorable Mention.

RETURNING PRODUCTION
In an era of college baseball defined by heavy transfer-portal movement, UCLA has taken a different path by retaining its core talent and reaping the rewards. No program in Division I returns more production for 2026, with the Bruins bringing back an impressive 83 percent of their overall output. That includes 85 percent of last season's plate appearances and 78 percent of the innings pitched, giving UCLA one of the most stable and experienced rosters in the country.

BRUINS' PRESEASON BUZZ
UCLA baseball placed two standouts on Baseball America's Preseason All-America teams. Junior shortstop Roch Cholowsky was selected as the outlet's preseason Player of the Year in addition to his First Team nod. Junior first baseman Mulivai Levu secured a spot on the Third Team. Cholowsky enters 2026 as one of the nation's premier players after assembling one of the most accomplished individual seasons in UCLA history. Levu returns as one of the conference's most productive run producers after a breakout 2025 season. Cholowsky and Levu were also named to the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List. UCLA has now seen 19 total players named to the Golden Spikes Award Watch List, with Cody Schrier being the Bruins' last inclusion in 2023. Logan Reddemann was recognized on D1Baseball's Preseason Pitcher of the Year Watch List while newcomers Angel Cervantes and Dominic Cadiz were featured on the outlet's Preseason Freshman of the Year Watch List.

ROCH AND THE ADVANCED STATISTICS
Roch Cholowsky was undoubtedly been one of the nation's most valuable players in 2025, and the advanced statistics prove it. According to data compiled by 643 charts, Cholowsky led the nation in wins-above-replacement (WAR) with a mark of 6.49. UCLA's shortstop has particularly stood out defensively with a defensive-runs-saved (DRS) mark of 18.30 and defensive WAR of 1.42. At the plate, Cholowsky was equally impressive, leading the country in offensive WAR at 5.087 and offensive runs-above-replacement (ORAR) of 67.69.

RECORD-BREAKING ROCH

Roch Cholowsky has etched his name all over the UCLA record books in 2025. Cholowsky:
He scored 80 runs - just one shy of program record of 81, set by Chase Utley in 2000.
Had 179 total bases last season - this is second all time for an individual in a single season in the Super Regional Era, behind Bill Scott in 2000 (204). Cholowsky is 7th all-time in program history for total bases in a single season for an individual; the record was set by Troy Glaus in 1997 with 227 total bases.

OFFENSIVE SUPERLATIVES

Roch Cholowsky and Mulivai Levu combined 159 runs-batted-in on the season. This is second in a single season to the program record, 182, set by Troy Glaus and Eric Valent in 1997.
Before the 2025 season, the individual record of hit-by-pitches in a single season was 19, set by Ethan "Duce" Gourson in 2022. Last season, three Bruins, Roch Cholowsy Dean West, and Roman Martin have surpassed this mark. West currently holds the top spot with 22 hit-by-pitches and Cholowsky is right behind him with 21. Martin, has also surpassed the former record set by Gourson with 20 HBPs last year.

DAZZLING DOUBLE PLAYS
The UCLA defense has turned 66 double plays last season which was the top mark in the country. The Bruins also led the country in double plays-per-game, averaging exactly one double play per contest. It is worth noting that nearly all the double play turns took place the infield as first baseman Mulivai Levu has been involved in 65 of the 66 twin killings. The Bruins were excellent defensively in 2025, posting a fielding percentage of .982 which ranked seventh nationally. Levu has been fantastic playing his position at first base, making just one error in 545 total chances (.998 fielding percentage).

IN ELITE COMPANY
Head Coach John Savage recently reached a significant milestone, eclipsing the 800-win mark for his career with a win at Illinois. With 724 wins at UCLA, he ranks second all-time, trailing only Gary Adams (1975-2004) who finished his career with 984 wins. Savage began his head coaching career at UC Irvine, where he notched 88 wins in his first three seasons, bringing his career total to 812, which ranks 23rd among active Division I coaches and first among active Big Ten coaches. His winning percentage of .601 with the Bruins is the highest among UCLA coaches with over 100 games coached.

FRIENDLY CONFINES
UCLA clinched its 10th consecutive season with a winning record at Jackie Robinson Stadium in 2025. The Bruins have had a losing record at home just twice over the last 21 seasons, last occurring in 2014 (11-20). UCLA posted a 31-7 overall record at JRS during last season's campaign.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
UCLA added 16 newcomers ahead of the 2026 season, including 12 freshmen and four transfers. Coach Savage has bolstered his pitching staff with two pitchers joining via the transfer portal. Logan Reddemann (San Diego) will look to occupy a spot in the starting rotation after posting a 2.29 ERA in his nine starts a season ago, earning back-to-back First Team All-WCC awards in 2024 and 2025. Jake Swenson (Linfield University) joins the Bruins afer winning Northwest Conference Pitcher of the Year honors at his previous institution. Will Gasparino (Texas) returns to his hometown after the power-hitting outfielder mashed 25 home runs and received SEC All-Defensive Team honors in Austin.

2025 IN REVIEW
• Captured a Big Ten co-championship in the program's inaugural season in the conference.
• Finished 48-18 overall and 22-8 in Big Ten play, tying Oregon for the regular season title.
• Earned the No. 15 national seed, securing the right to host the Los Angeles Regional at Jackie Robinson Stadium
• Swept both the Regional and Super Regional, advancing to the College World Series for the first time since 2013
• Recorded the largest single season turnaround in Division I baseball (+29) after winning just 19 games in 2024
• Went 31-7 at home and did not lose a single home series all season
• Logged the fifth most wins in program history (48) and made the program's sixth CWS appearance
• Led the country in double play turns (66)
•   Finished 7th nationally in fielding percentage (.982)
• Finished 6th nationally in hit-by-pitches (137)
• Finished 11th nationally in hits (656)
• Finished 13th in runs scored (524)
• Finished top-30 nationally in: ERA, hits allowed per 9 innings, and base-on-balls
• Won 13 of 15 regular season weekend series
• Did not lose a series at home all season
• Two total All-Americans (Roch Cholowsky and Mulivai Levu)
• Two ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove recipients (Roch Cholowsky and Mulivai Levu)
• First time in program history to have multiple Gold Glove winners in the same season
• Roch Cholowsky named Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year (first dual winner in UCLA history)
•   Cholowsky named Brooks Wallace Award winner
• Dean West broke the single-season hit-by-pitch record with 22
• Three players (West, Martin, and Cholowsky) broke the previous HBP record of 19 set by Duce Gourson
• Michael Barnett led the Big Ten in wins with 12 and finished third nationally
•   Cholowsky and Levu combined for 159 RBIs, second most for a UCLA duo all-time

BRUINS PICKED TO FINISH FIRST BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL
Big Ten Preseason Poll:
1. UCLA (unanimous selection)
2. Oregon
3. USC
4. Nebraska
5. Indiana
6. Iowa