The UCLA Bruins pulled off a dramatic 6-5 walk-off victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday, avoiding elimination in the NCAA Tournament. Down 5-3 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, the Bruins hit back-to-back home runs—first by Mulivai Levu,then Roman Martin—to tie the game before Phoenix Call drove in the winning run. according to the source report, UCLA now has 30 walk-off wins this season, the most in Division I baseball.

Mulivai Levu's breaking ball that didn't break

The critical moment came with a 2-2 count and Levu at the plate. The report says Virginia Tech's pitcher threw a breaking ball that failed to break , and Levu crushed it to right field for a solo homer. That blast, the source details, was the spark UCLA needed after trailing 5-3. Levu's home run energized the crowd and set the stage for Martin's game-tying shot on a 1-2 count.

UCLA's 30th walk-off win ties a Division I record

As the source notes, the Bruins reached 30 walk-off victories this season, the highest in Division I baseball. The report also points out that this is UCLA's fourth comeback win in five postseason games, including three comebacks in the Big Ten Tournament. That pattern of late-inning heroics suggests a team that thrives under pressure but also a team that consistently falls behind early—a vulnerability that could be exploited in later rounds.

Virginia Tech's near-miss and freshman phenom Ethan Ball

According to the report, Virginia Tech freshman Ethan Ball gave the Hokies a 4-3 lead with a solo home run in the top of the eighth. Hudson Luttermon drove in another run in the ninth to extend the lead to 5-3. Yet Virginia Tech could not hold the two-run advantage, a collapse the source attributes to UCLA's persistent offense. The Hokies now face elimination, while UCLA moves on to play again Sunday.

What remains unknown about UCLA's next test

The source says UCLA head coach John Savage will likely start freshman Angel Cervantes on the mound Sunday. But the report does not specify UCLA's opponent—it depends on other tournament results.. The source also notes the Bruins have struggled to get early leads; they fell behind in the third inning against Virginia Tech after a Hokies RBI single. Whether UCLA can avoid another early deficit against a fresh pitcher or a rested lineup remains an open question. The report also does not quote any UCLA players or coaches beyond Savage's expected pitching move, leaving the team's immediate strategy unclear.