Oregon hadn't led all series. League MVP a year ago, UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky had clubbed two home runs, and the Ducks' chances of hosting a home regional were slipping away, down 6-5 to the Bruins in the eighth inning with two outs and no one on.
The Ducks had trailed 4-0 in the third before Naulivou Lauaki blasted a three-run homer for a tie.
It had been a bitterly contested game with trash talk, finger-pointing, tongue-wagging and an ejection. Talented and cocky, the No. 1 Bruins hadn't lost in league play all season, 25-0.
Friday night, they'd battered Oregon pitching for 10 hits and won in seven innings by the run rule, 11-1.
Left for dead, the Ducks came to life.
Angel Laya scratched out an infield hit. Maddux Molony doubled to right to score him to make it 6-6. Gabe Miranda walked. Lauaki Jr. reached on an error by the second baseman to load the bases.
Then centerfielder Jack Brooks ripped an 0-1 pitch into left center, good for a double to score all three and take a lead for the first time all weekend.
QUACKKKK QUACKKKKK QUACKKKK 🦆🦆🦆
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) May 10, 2026
Oregon has CLEARED EM. Ducks lead UCLA 9-6 in the 8th. UCLA's undefeated B1G record is now on the ropes pic.twitter.com/0x66Viwysy
Tanner Bradley set UCLA down in order in the bottom of the ninth, and the Ducks tied the series at 1-1. Oregon middle reliever Cal Scolari struck out six over 2.1 innings to keep them close.
Never-quit attitude sparks a defining comeback
The two teams meet today at noon for the series decider, broadcast on the Oregon Sports Network, TV on Big Ten+. But a comeback win like that can do wonders for a young team. It can galvanize them for the NCAA Tournament, providing the opportunity to host a home regional and begin the road to Omaha before their home fans at PK Park. It can give them confidence in tight situations.
It was a display of heart and courage. In many ways, that's the best part of baseball, a game with no clock, a game that isn't over until you use all 27 outs.
Brooks told goducks.com, "Our team doesn't quit. That is the kind of stuff we pride ourselves on. Our standard is we don't ever quit. We are going to keep going until the last out is made. I'd say we didn't quit. We went through the whole game and it was a great win for us. Just awesome."
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