Storms move in different ways.

Sometimes they linger, stretching deep into the night.

Other times, they pass quickly and decisively.

But the Bruins proved that winning comes from both.

No. 1 UCLA baseball (33-2, 18-0 Big Ten) swept Rutgers (17-18, 5-10 Big Ten) at Bainton Field in Piscataway, New Jersey, over the weekend, besting the Scarlet Knights 4-1 in a 14-inning pitching brawl Friday, 7-1 Saturday and 9-2 in Sunday’s finale, increasing the program record to six consecutive conference sweeps.

Another record-breaking weekend for the 2026 Bruins started with an outing from junior right-hander Logan Reddemann in the series opener.

“It felt like that type of night from the first inning,” Reddemann said.

The right-hander struck out 18 batters across eight innings, tying a UCLA single-game record while allowing just two hits and one earned run.

Reddemann retired 11 of the final 12 hitters he faced, overpowering Rutgers and setting the tone in a game that demanded near-perfection on the mound.

The night evolved into a test of endurance as the game dragged through five extra innings, the longest game UCLA has played this season.

A fielder’s choice off the bat of junior catcher Cashel Dugger brought home the go-ahead run before redshirt sophomore pinch hitter Aidan Espinoza added a two-run pinch-hit single to create a cushion in the top of the 14th.

“It feels awesome and kind of surreal to hold the record,” Reddemann said. “But the most important thing to me was getting through a long game and outlasting a team to win the game; that was the best part of the night.”

Backed by a pitching staff that combined for 30 strikeouts – one shy of the NCAA single-game record – the Bruins outlasted Rutgers in a marathon opener that foreshadowed a weekend defined by both grit and control.

Unlike the series opener, Saturday’s contest never reached that same level of tension, as UCLA asserted control early and never let go.

The Bruins jumped out to a multi-run lead within the first two innings and extended it behind a three-home run performance from a trio of juniors, center fielder Will Gasparino, first baseman Mulivai Levu and Dugger, each going deep in a 7-1 win.

While the offense broke the game open, Michael Barnett ensured there would be little resistance from the other side. The senior right-hander delivered five innings of one-run ball, allowing just two hits while striking out a season-high seven to improve to 6-0.

Powered by consistent offense and steady pitching, UCLA out-hit Rutgers 12-5 and never allowed the Scarlet Knights to threaten their early lead after the third inning.

“They’re about the process, and they’re about the details and that gives you the best chance to win,” said coach John Savage following UCLA’s sweep of Iowa at the end of March. “As a coach, that’s all you can ask for.”

The comfortable victory secured the series and marked a clear shift from Friday’s marathon, showcasing a Bruin team capable of not just enduring tight battles but decisively overpowering opponents when given the opportunity.

That control carried into the finale, where UCLA completed the sweep with its most complete performance of the weekend.

The Bruins tallied hits from all nine starters and built a seven-run lead behind a four-run fourth inning, cruising to a 9-2 victory to extend their winning streak to 27 games.

“We play inning by inning, not by the scoreboard,” said junior left fielder Dean West, who had three knocks in Friday’s win. “We’re always trying to play by our Bruin principles, it sets us up well to win games. We’re all bought in on passing the baton over to the next guy, to whoever’s behind you, and making sure the person up is doing their job and it’s a domino effect from there.”

The Bruins will now look ahead to Jackie Robinson week at home, where they will kick it off with a midweek matchup against UC Santa Barbara (22-11, 10-5 Big West) on Tuesday night. First pitch is at 7 pm.