Coach John Savage has consistently talked about pulling off a dramatic turnaround following last season’s 19-33 campaign.

And after a 6-1 start, the Bruins’ next test comes in the form of a former Pac-12 foe.

Following its first road games of the season in Corpus Christi, Texas, UCLA baseball (6-1) returns to Jackie Robinson Stadium where it will play five games in six days, facing Arizona State (6-1) on Tuesday and Wednesday. In 2024, the Sun Devils swept the Bruins in Los Angeles, outscoring them 26-6 in the process.

The Bruins’ home stand comes just after they traveled to the Kleberg Bank Classic, where they faced three opponents in as many days. After a 4-3 loss to Texas A&M – Corpus Christi Friday, the team bounced back to win Saturday and Sunday against Washington State and Michigan State, respectively.

Down five runs to the Cougars and six to the Spartans, the Bruins came out on top – slashing .260/.398/.394 over the weekend.

“They’re together. Whenever you see a team that’s together, they don’t quit,” Savage said. “We’re getting that sort of mentality that we can come back.”

In their comeback victory over Michigan State, sophomore second baseman Phoenix Call led UCLA with three hits while also snagging a line drive in diving fashion.

Phoenix Call that is 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫. 💎

📺FloSports#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/fQtxNmNtNr

— UCLA Baseball (@UCLABaseball) February 23, 2025

“Just trying to help my team out,” Call said. “Just keep passing the baton.”

Despite Call’s web gem, UCLA struggled defensively at times, accumulating five errors across three games. Still, the team showed what it was capable of on the diamond.

While Roch Cholowsky’s throwing error in the top of the second inning led to three Cougar runs, the sophomore shortstop made an over-the-shoulder grab in the ninth that led to a double play, leaving the bases loaded.

Furthermore, the Bruins’ bullpen combined for nine shutout innings across their two wins. Sophomore right-hander Luke Rodriguez combined for 4.1 scoreless frames across two appearances in Corpus Christi.

The pitching promise of the Bruins could lead to a different result against the Sun Devils this time around. When UCLA faced ASU last season, at least four Bruin pitchers who were currently healthy were injured.

While neither UCLA nor ASU has announced a starter for Wednesday’s bout, freshman right-hander Wylan Moss will take the mound for the Bruins Tuesday against Sun Devil left-hander Easton Barrett. Moss, who is tied for the team lead with 11 strikeouts, has yet to allow an earned run through 5.2 innings pitched. Barrett, on the other hand, has thrown just four pitches in his collegiate career but was the No. 1 southpaw out of Utah in 2024, according to Perfect Game.

Rodriguez added that successful Bruin pitching feeds their offense.

“Keeping up the zeros – that really gets our offense going,” Rodriguez said. “(It) keeps us in the game.”

UCLA was without Payton Brennan at the Kleberg Bank Classic. The redshirt sophomore center fielder was out with a shoulder injury, but Savage said Brennan, who has a 1.694 OPS across three games this season, could be back next week.

First pitch Tuesday is at 5 p.m. while Wednesday’s is at 1 p.m.