This post was updated April 19 at 5:21 p.m.

In a near repeat of Friday’s slow start, the Bruins’ bats were quiet early in the game.

But a sixth-inning offensive eruption, anchored by the heart of the order, turned the tide.

And the Bruins never looked back.

No. 1 UCLA baseball (35-3, 20-0 Big Ten) beat Minnesota (22-16, 5-12 Big Ten) 6-4 on Saturday at Jackie Robinson Stadium, clinching the series and extending its conference winning streak to 20 games.

“I thought we played a little better offensively today,” said coach John Savage.

The Bruins shaky start to the game – managing just three hits and stranding six runners through the first four innings – mirrored the series opener, when Golden Gophers right-hander Cole Selvig held the Bruins scoreless and allowed just three hits across four innings of work.

This time, though, it was the combined effort of Minnesota’s right-hander Isaac Morton and left-hander Will Whelan that limited UCLA’s offense early, despite the Bruins entering the game with the second-highest +5.4 run differential in the nation.

“We had some opportunities that we wasted,” Savage said. “We really could have scored more.”

UCLA’s best chance came in the third inning, when a single from freshman second baseman Aiden Aguayo, along with a walk and a hit-by-pitch, loaded the bases with zero outs and forced Morton out of the game. Morton had gone at least four innings in all but one of his starts this season prior to Saturday’s affair.

But the Bruins were kept off the board by Whelan, who relieved Morton and recorded two flyouts, along with a strikeout to escape the jam.

Senior right-hander Michael Barnett also seemingly had the early jitters, allowing a run in the first inning after a lead-off single. But the Lafayette, California, local got back to his season form, allowing only one more hit across 4.1 innings while recording two strikeouts, including the 200th of his career.

“I obviously didn’t have my best stuff today,” Barnett said. “My command was a little off, but I didn’t let that affect me. I knew I could dig deep, and the guys behind me had my back.”

The Bruins found their rhythm at the plate soon after.

Junior third baseman Roman Martin’s RBI single in the fifth put UCLA on the board before redshirt junior right fielder Payton Brennan opened the next inning with a 376-foot solo home run to tie the game. Junior first baseman Mulivai Levu, who entered the game hitless in the series, barreled a two-run RBI single to right field, giving UCLA its first lead of the day.

“I needed that,” Levu said. “I went 0-for-4 yesterday, so I needed a hit – and it was a clutch hit, so it felt nice.”

Brennan also made a defensive impact, snagging a leaping catch at the right-center field wall in the fifth to rob first baseman Jack Bello of a potential extra-base hit. The play helped preserve UCLA’s lead as it turned to its bullpen.

Savage turned to five relievers, who allowed a combined three runs over the next 4.2 innings. Sophomore right-hander Wylan Moss surrendered solo home runs to Golden Gophers left-fielder Ty Allen and catcher Weber Neels, respectively, but the Bruins maintained their lead. Junior right-hander Justin Lee also helped earn two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, while only walking one, bringing his season ERA down to 2.31.

Sophomore right-hander Easton Hawk then closed out the game with a four-out save, retiring all four batters he faced to secure his second consecutive closeout.

The Granada Hills, California, local has 30 strikeouts and eight saves with a 2.28 ERA through 23.2 innings in 2026.

“I think he’s throwing the ball about as well as he has all year,” Savage said. “He’s been pretty darn good.”

The Bruins will look to complete the series sweep Sunday at noon at Jackie Robinson Stadium, with junior right-hander Landon Stump slated to start. Stump boasts a 3.55 ERA with 25 strikeouts and is coming off a six-inning, one-hit outing at Rutgers on April 12.

“Tomorrow, we’re trying to come out hot,” Levu said. “Set the tone with Stump on the mound and put up more runs early.”