This season is about getting the Bruins back to who they once were.

John Savage has reiterated as much after each of his squad’s games this year.

“We’re forming an identity that has winning attached to it,” the coach said.

Amid a winning streak longer than any it had in 2024, UCLA baseball (4-0) will head to Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas, for the Kleberg Bank College Classic. Averaging 13 runs per game this season, UCLA will face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (0-4) on Friday, Washington State (0-4) on Saturday and Michigan State (4-0) on Sunday.

After last year’s team went 4-22 away from Jackie Robinson Stadium, how UCLA performs in its first road series could prove critical to the season’s outlook. The Bruins are scheduled for 21 games outside Brentwood, California, and will make multiple Midwest trips as part of their inaugural Big Ten campaign.

“We’re pretty comfortable here at Jackie, which is a good thing, but we have to make sure that we get comfortable on the road,” Savage said.

UCLA’s offense has slashed .328/.511/.515 across 186 plate appearances this season. Spearheading this attack is redshirt sophomore center fielder Payton Brennan, who leads qualified UCLA hitters with a 1.694 OPS, while sophomore first baseman Mulivai Levu’s1.393 OPS ranks second and sophomore left fielder Dean West’s 1.377 third. All in, the Bruins have scored the 11th-most runs in the nation.

Mirroring the team’s offensive success, the Bruins bring a pitching staff that has posted a 1.25 team ERA and .92 WHIP – marks that rank sixth and 14th in the nation, respectively.

“Our pitching staff works really hard,” said junior outfielder Jarrod Hocking. “Our coach is going to make sure those guys are prepared, and they’re looking really good for us right now.”

Freshman right-hander Wylan Moss has tossed 5.2 innings across two appearances, striking out a team-leading 11 hitters – more than double second place.

“It’s really exciting for the team, starting off 4-0,” Moss said. “I’m always looking for the next game and ready for the weekend.”

Savage, in his 21st season at the helm, added that facing three teams in three days brings its own challenges and homework.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, which went 22-35 in 2024, was swept in its four-game opening weekend series against Kansas and was outscored 44-6. Zach Garcia is projected to get the start for the Islanders. The left-hander allowed two runs on three hits across five innings in his first start of 2025 and went 4-3 with a 5.15 ERA across 87.1 innings last season.

The Bruins will also face the Cougars for the first time as nonconference opponents Saturday. UCLA and Washington State finished with identical 9-21 Pac-12 records last season, but the former has bested the latter in seven of their last 10 meetings – including a series win at Jackie Robinson Stadium in 2024. Washington State, which was swept over opening weekend by Arkansas, will have a chance to rebound in Texas. Southpaw Nick Lewis, who gave up five across 3.2 innings in his NCAA debut Friday, is likely to get the nod for the Cougars.

Leading the Big Ten with a 0.84 ERA, the Spartans’ undefeated pitching staff will face a surging Bruin offense. Michigan State has yet to announce a starting pitcher for Sunday’s affair, but right-hander Nolan Higgins pitched his team’s third game of the season, shoving six shutout frames along with four strikeouts and two walks against Monmouth.

Friday’s first pitch is slated for 2 p.m., while Saturday’s is at noon, and Sunday’s is at 8:30 a.m.

“We can’t get complacent after our hot start,” Moss said. “We’re all excited and ready to go dominate.”