UCLA Bruins Earn Historic Big Ten Title in Remarkable Season The No. 14 UCLA Bruins (39-15, 22-8) have achieved a monumental feat, securing a share of the Big Ten regular season title on Saturday afternoon with a decisive victory over the Northwestern Wildcats (25-27, 13-17). This remarkable achievement marks the Bruins’ first-ever Big Ten championship, solidifying their place as a force to be reckoned with in the conference. This episode of the UCLA Bruins Insider Podcast delves into the Bruins’ incredible climb to the top, featuring insights from UCLA Bruins On SI beat writer Tom Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh breaks down the strategic moves and dominant performances that propelled the team to victory, showcasing their resilience and determination. Listen in as he analyzes the key moments that led to this historic win, providing a comprehensive understanding of the Bruins’ journey to the Big Ten crown. The Bruins’ success is part of a three-team battle for the conference title, alongside the No. 5 Oregon Ducks (41-13, 22-8) and the Iowa Hawkeyes (32-20-1, 21-9). The Ducks’ strong performance, sweeping Iowa this past weekend in Iowa City, significantly impacted the race, effectively eliminating the Hawkeyes from contention. UCLA's initial struggle, losing the series opener at home to Northwestern, underscored the challenges they faced. However, the Bruins responded with impressive back-to-back wins over the weekend, showcasing their ability to overcome adversity. Game 2 saw a dominant 8-2 victory, while Sunday’s Game 3 was a crucial ‘must-win’ scenario, vital for securing a share of the title. The Bruins delivered with a stunning 11-1 mercy rule victory in seven innings.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Landon Stump was the star of the show, pitching 6.2 innings with one run allowed on four hits and five strikeouts, improving his record to 6-0 for the season. The offensive contributions were equally impressive, with sophomore Mulivai Levu and redshirt senior AJ Salgado each contributing three RBIs. Salgado’s home run was his 12th of the year, while sophomore Roman Martin blasted a two-run shot in the sixth inning. UCLA’s powerful offensive performance resulted in them finishing with the sixth-most home runs in the Big Ten, totaling 70. The Oregon Ducks also achieved the same conference record at 22-8, earning the other share of the title. Both teams are expected to be among the top 16 seeds nationally and could host a regional in the NCAA Tournament, despite their performances in the Big Ten tournament. This title marks a significant achievement for head coach John Savage, building upon his previous success with four Pac-12 championships and continuing his winning streak in 2019 with this Big Ten title. Following an underwhelming 19-33 season the previous year, the Bruins have dramatically rebounded, demonstrating their ability to learn from past challenges. UCLA’s position was further solidified by falling to the wrong side of the tiebreaker after losing two of three on the road to the Ducks just a few weeks prior, securing them the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten tournament. The Bruins will face the No. 11 seed Illinois and No. 7 seed Michigan in the first two games of the tournament. Stay updated on all the latest Bruins news and analysis by following us on X (Twitter) @UCLAInsideronSI and @tcav30. Never miss a breaking story and share your thoughts by liking our Facebook page – CLICK HERE