The USA Collegiate National Team wrapped up its series of five games against Japan. Despite being winless in those five games, UC Irvine pitcher Ricky Ojeda stood out as the best performer on the team.
Ojeda made three appearances during the five games the USA team played in Japan. In those appearances, he pitched 3 2/3 innings with a 0.00 ERA. During that same stretch, he had nine strikeouts and led the national team.
Ricky Ojeda vs. 立石正広 pic.twitter.com/XVA3Gto202
— 1oka (@egyHegy) July 11, 2025
Ojeda’s 2025 Season with the Anteaters
In 2024, Ojeda finished first team All-Big West and was a D1 Baseball Freshman All-American.
The 2025 season was a breakout one for the southpaw. He finished with a 3.55 ERA in 29 appearances and had a great record of 13-1.
In 66 innings of work, he had 83 strikeouts compared to just 29 walks.
He was named first team All-Big West once again in 2025 and won the conference’s pitcher of the year award.
UC Irvine’s Big 2025 Season
Ojeda’s big season led to a successful year for the Anteaters in 2025. They finished 43-17 overall and were 24-6 in Big West play.
They won the Big West regular season title and made the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season and third time this decade.
Heading into next season, Ojeda will be one of the biggest pitchers to watch in all of college baseball. He is poised to possibly become UC Irvine’s ace in 2026.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
Photo: UC Irvine pitcher Ricky Ojeda (13) during an NCAA regional baseball game on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
