The Racers, the fourth-ever regional No. 4 seed to reach the College World Series, fell behind 6-0 after the fourth inning before holding the Bruins scoreless the rest of the way. Murray State fell just short of the rally in the end, falling 6-4.
UCLA moves into the winner’s bracket of the College World Series with the win, and will face the winner of No. 3 Arkansas and No. 6 LSU for a spot in the CWS finals, whereas Murray State will take on the loser of the SEC matchup.
The Bruins stayed undefeated at the NCAA tournament with the win, riding their big fourth inning performance into the next round.
Here are the highlights from UCLA’s win over Murray State in the opening round of the College World Series:
Murray State vs UCLA baseball live score
This section will be updated.
Murray State vs UCLA baseball live updates
UCLA wins it
Murray State goes down in order, and UCLA hangs on for a 6-4 win. The Bruins will face the winner of Arkansas and LSU, with Murray State taking on the loser of the SEC matchup in the loser’s bracket.
Murray State puts up another zero
The Racers are down to their final three outs after holding UCLA to its fourth straight scoreless inning. Murray State is still down 6-4.
Murray State plates two runners
Back-to-back RBI groundouts is by pinch hitter Charlie Jury and Conner Cunningham plate two runs for Murray State, reducing the Racers’ deficit to 6-4 in the top of the eighth inning. Murray State is roaring back.
Murray State not going away
Murray State puts its two leadoff hitters on again in the bottom of the eighth, as Will Vierling walks before Dan Tauken ropes a double down the left-field line to put runners on second and third with no outs.
Another zero for UCLA
Dylan Zentko has put together a nice performance in relief, as he throws another scoreless inning. The left-hander has allowed no hits with a strikeout through two innings so far.
Murray State goes scoreless
Luke Mistone lines out to end the top of the seventh, resulting in a scoreless frame for the Racers, despite plenty of loud contact. Murray State is down to its final six outs, hoping to avoid falling to the loser’s bracket.
UCLA turning to August Souza
With runners on first and third with two outs after a pair of Murray State flyouts, UCLA is turning to reliever August Souza in the top of the seventh inning.
Souza has a 5.40 ERA in 26 2/3 innings this season and is coming in to face Luke Mistone.
Murray State with runners on first and second
Here come the Racers, as Jonathan Hogart and Dustin Mercer hit back-to-back singles to kick off the top of the seventh inning. Can Murray State get back into this one?
UCLA goes down in order again
Murray State turns to left-hander reliever Dylan Zentko, who puts up a zero after going 1-2-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Racers have won back-to-back innings and are looking to get back in this game with nine outs left.
Murray State gets back another run
Luke Mistone and Will Vierling hit back-to-back singles, with Mistone advancing to third base on Vierling’s hit. Dan Tauken then flies out to center field, which is deep enough to score Mistone, cutting Murray State’s deficit to 6-2 in the top of the sixth inning.
Nic Schutte retires UCLA in order
Murray State’s Nic Schutte goes 1-2-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning after forcing a trio of flyouts. The Racers starter is up to 90 pitches, and he may be asked to throw a bit more to preserve Murray State’s bullpen for a potential elimination game.
Murray State not done yet
UCLA turns to reliever Wylan Moss, who allows a two-out single to right field by Carson Garner that scores Jonathan Hogart from second base. The Racers still trail 6-1 but scratch across their first run of the game.
UCLA extends lead to 6-0
UCLA is humming now, as Roman Martin singles to score Dean West to extend its lead to 4-0. AJ Salgado then doubles in the next at-bat, which scores two runners to give the Bruins a 6-0 lead. Salgado’s hit was absolutely roped, registered at 115 mph, according to the ESPN broadcast.
Murray State starter Nic Schutte is still pitching, as he has thrown 77 pitches through four innings so far. UCLA has eight hits of Schutte, who has also walked four batters.
UCLA takes 3-0 lead
Phoenix Call and Dean West hit back-to-back singles, which Call advancing to third on West’s hit to put UCLA runners on first and third with one out. Roch Cholowsky then grounds out to the pitcher, but Murray State doesn’t have enough time to fire home, allowing Call to score from third to give UCLA a 3-0 lead.
Michael Barnett settling in nicely
Michael Barnett retires Murray State in order, as UCLA maintains its 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. Barnett has allowed no runs on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts so far.
Dan Tauken gets Murray State out of third inning
Left fielder Dan Tauken makes a fantastic over-the-shoulder catch for the third out of the third inning, on a play that would’ve potentially scored two runs for UCLA. Murray State still trails 2-0 after getting out of the frame unscathed.
Murray State strands two runners
Racers put runners on first and second with one out after back-to-back singles from Jonathan Hogart and Dustin Mercer but can’t capitalize in the third inning after 3- and 4-hole hitters Carson Garner and Dominic Decker both flyout to the left fielder.
UCLA extends lead
UCLA takes a 2-0 lead on an RBI single by Dean West, which scores Cashel Dugger from third base.
West, however, is thrown out at first after rounding the base while thinking to advance to second before right fielder Dustin Mercer fires to first base for the second out of the inning. UCLA leads 2-0 after two innings.
Quick frame for UCLA
Michael Barnett strikes out the leadoff hitter before walking a batter but forces an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play to the next hitter. Barnett needs 10 pitches in the second inning.
Murray State escapes jam
Nic Schutte limits UCLA to one run, as he picks up two huge strikeouts with bases loaded before getting an inning-ending groundout. The Bruins lead 1-0 and are unable to capitalize on the scoring chance.
Nic Schutte walks in run
UCLA takes a 1-0 lead after Nic Schutte walks his third batter of the game, which scores Dean West from third base. The Bruins still have based loaded with no outs.
UCLA with bases loaded early
Murray State’s Nic Schutte also struggling with command early, as he walks consecutive UCLA hitters to start the first inning. Schutte then leaves a pitch over the middle for Mulivai Levu, who singles to right field to load the bases.
UCLA with a chance to do some big damage early with no outs.
Murray State strands two runners
UCLA pitcher Michael Barnett is still settling in, as he needs 27 pitches to get out of the inning, despite striking out a pair of Murray State hitters. Barnett is still working on homing in his command, as he walked two batters, with both of his strikeouts coming on full counts.
Murray State vs UCLA pitchers
UCLA: RHP Michael Barnett (12-1, 4.09 ERA)
Murray State: RHP Nic Schutte (11-6, 4.85 ERA)
UCLA baseball lineup
LF Dean West
SS Roch Cholowsky
1B Mulivau Levu
2B Roman Martin
RF AJ Salgado
CF Payton Brennan
DH Blake Balsz
C Cashel Dugger
2B Phoenix Call
Murray State baseball lineup
CF Jonathan Hogart
RF Dustin Mercer
3B Carson Garner
2B Dom Decker
1B Luke Mistone
C Will Vierling
LF Dan Tauken
DH Nico Bermeo
SS Connor Cunningham
What time does Murray State vs UCLA baseball start?
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Date: Saturday, June 14
Location: Charles Schwab Field Omaha (Omaha, Nebraska)
Murray State-UCLA is set for a 2 p.m. ET first pitch on Saturday, June 14, at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska.
What TV channel is Murray State vs UCLA baseball on today?
TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app, ESPN+
Murray State vs. UCLA at the College World Series will air live on ESPN, with streaming options on the ESPN app (with a TV provider login) or ESPN+, which requires a subscription.
College World Series schedule
All times Eastern
Friday, June 13
Game 1: (13) Coastal Carolina 7, Arizona 4
Game 2: (8) Oregon State 4, Louisville 3
Saturday, June 14
Game 3: Murray State vs. (15) UCLA | 2 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
Game 4: (6) LSU vs. (3) Arkansas | 7 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
Sunday, June 15
Game 5: Arizona vs. Louisville | 2 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
Game 6: (13) Coastal Carolina vs. (8) Oregon State | 7 p.m. | ESPN2 (ESPN+)
Monday, June 16
Game 7: Loser of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4 | 2 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
Game 8: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 | 7 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
Tuesday, June 17
Game 9: Winner of Game 5 vs. Loser of Game 6 | 2 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
Game 10: Winner of Game 7 vs. Loser of Game 8 | 7 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
Wednesday, June 18
Game 11 (semifinals): Winner of Game 6 vs. Winner of Game 9 | 2 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
Game 12 (semifinals): Winner of Game 8 vs. Winner of Game 12 | 7 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
Thursday, June 19
Game 13 (if-necessary semifinals): Winner of Game 6 vs. Winner of Game 9 | TBD | ESPN (ESPN+)
Game 14 (if-necessary semifinals): Winner of Game 8 vs. Winner of Game 12 | TBD | ESPN (ESPN+)
CWS finals
Game 1 (June 21): Winner of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 12 | 7 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
Game 2 (June 22): Winner of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 12 | 2:30 p.m. | ABC
Game 3 (June 23) (if necessary): Winner of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 12 | 7 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
