LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — UCLA scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to walk off Virginia Tech 6-5 on Saturday evening at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, extending the Bruins’ already dominant season to 52-7 while sending the Hokies to 30-26.

The game started as a pitchers’ duel before turning into a back-and-forth affair that culminated in a dramatic final frame. Virginia Tech struck first in the top of the third inning. O. Petrich walked, advanced to second on a groundout, and scored on a single to center field by S. Grube. That was all the Hokies could muster against UCLA starter Michael Barnett through the early innings.

UCLA answered in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Dugger launched a solo home run to right field to cut the deficit to 1-0. Cal followed with a ground-rule double to right center, and Hocking doubled to left center to drive in Cal, tying the game at 1. After a walk to West, the Bruins had runners on first and second, but a flyout and a lineout stranded them.

Virginia Tech regained the lead in the top of the fifth when O. Petrich homered to left center, making it 2-1. The Hokies added another run in the seventh when Ethan Gibson homered to center field, pushing the lead to 3-1. UCLA quickly answered in the bottom of the fifth, as Will Gasparino homered to right field to make it 3-2. The Bruins threatened again in the sixth, putting two runners on with one out, but a fielder’s choice and a flyout left them empty.

The pivotal moment came in the top of the eighth. With the score still 3-2, Virginia Tech’s E. Ball homered to right field to extend the lead to 4-2. That appeared to give the Hokies some breathing room, but the Bruins’ bullpen held the line. In the top of the ninth, Gibson doubled, and H. Lutterman singled him home to make it 5-2, giving Virginia Tech a three-run cushion heading into the bottom of the ninth.

Virginia Tech closer M. Clement began the ninth but could not hold the lead. Mulivai Levu led off with a solo home run to right field, cutting the score to 5-3. Roman Martin followed with a solo homer to left field, making it 5-4. Clement was replaced by E. Grim, but Gasparino greeted him with a single to shortstop. After a strikeout, pinch‑hitter Cadiz singled through the left side to put runners on first and third. Cal then lined a single to left field, driving in Gasparino for the walk‑off win.

Virginia Tech’s pitching staff had performed well for most of the game. Starter Brett Renfrow tossed four innings, allowing only one hit and two runs while striking out two. Griffin Stieg contributed 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and Preston Crowl worked two innings that included one unearned run. But the late rally undid their efforts.

UCLA’s Michael Barnett was the top star for the Bruins. He went six innings, yielding three hits and three earned runs while striking out five. Barnett had struggled in his previous start against Southern California on May 23, allowing three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. On Saturday, he was effective enough to keep the Hokies from building a larger lead. Cal Randall threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts, and Easton Hawk allowed one earned run on two hits in the ninth but was bailed out by the offense.

The Bruins’ offense collected 12 hits to Virginia Tech’s six. Gasparino went 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI. Levu, Martin, and Dugger each homered. For the Hokies, Gibson led the way with a 2-for-4 afternoon that included a home run, a double, and an RBI.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of UCLA 7, Virginia Tech 5. Interstat’s ELO system gave the Bruins a 68.80 percent probability to win. UCLA had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus 3.5.