MINNEAPOLIS — UCLA erupted for four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to stun Gonzaga 6-5 on Friday in the NCAA Baseball Tournament’s Minneapolis Regional.
Chase Strumpf had three hits for the Bruins (37-19), who rallied from a 5-2 deficit with four timely hits and a game-winning sacrifice fly.
Kevin Kendall and Strumpf pulled UCLA within 5-4 on RBI singles, and Michael Toglia doubled to bring in Kendall for a tie game. Jake Pries hit a fly ball to score Strumpf and complete the comeback.
Kyle Mora (6-2) got the win. Gonzaga’s Casey Legumina (3-3) took the loss after allowing four earned runs in an inning of work.
UCLA advances to the winner’s bracket on Saturday against host Minnesota (42-13), a 10-1 winner over Canisius. Gonzaga (32-23) will play in an elimination game against Canisius.
