On Thursday, May 14, the Washington Huskies pulled off a major upset and defeated the number one-ranked UCLA Bruins. The Huskies won in shutout fashion by a score of 8-0.
It is just the second loss in Big Ten Conference play this season for the Bruins and only their sixth loss on the year overall.
Colton Bower hits two home runs against UCLA
Washington designated hitter Colton Bower hit two home runs against the Bruins. His first home run was a solo shot in the fourth inning that gave the Huskies a 1-0 lead.
In the fifth inning, he capped off a five-run frame for Washington with a two-run homer, making it 6-0.
Bower had three total hits and three RBIs in the win over UCLA. This season, the redshirt junior has a career-high 12 home runs and 35 RBIs.
Blake Wilson with two doubles, Gunnar Nichols closes it out
Another hitter who stood out in a major way for Washington was Blake Wilson. The third baseman had two doubles against the Bruins. This brought his extra-base hit total up to 12 this season.
After six scorless innings from starting pitcher Jackson Thomas, Gunnar Nichols replaced him in relief and closed out the game’s final three innings. Nichols had three strikeouts and faced 11 batters. He allowed no hits during his relief appearance.
Thomas allowed only three hits during his six-inning start for the Huskies.
Up next for Washington
The Washington Huskies have a chance to pull a major series win against the number one team in the country. They are looking for their first series win since the April 2-4 when they won two out of three against the Valparaiso Beacons.
The Huskies have a 12-16 Big Ten record and have not won a Big Ten series since taking down Northwestern at the end of March.
Game two of the series between Washington and UCLA is at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, May 15. The game is at Husky Ballpark in Seattle.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: Washington’s Colton Bower waits for a pitch during an at-bat in an NCAA baseball game against Gonzaga on Sunday, March 15, 2025, in Seattle. Gonzaga won 9-6. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
