The show did not begin as advertised.
Logan Reddemann – the Bruins’ top-of-the-line transfer acquisition – had just one swing and miss by the time his 50th pitch ended up in left field.
Although the junior right-hander walked back to the mound with his team down a field goal Friday night, that deficit would not last long.
No. 1 UCLA baseball (1-0) began its 2026 campaign like it ended 21 contests last season – with a comeback win – as UC San Diego (0-1) fell 8-4 at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
“A lot of emotion, a lot of expectations,” said coach John Savage. “You’re down 3-0. What’s going on? I mean, it’s baseball. Was I surprised? Not really.”
While newcomers like Reddemann and the Bruins’ established stars may have gotten the most attention ahead of the season opener, a pair of, arguably, under-the-radar returners may have shined brightest.
Payton Brennan got the start in right field Friday after predominantly manning center in 2025, but the redshirt junior’s bat stayed explosive.
After going 12-for-22 across his last five games at Jackie Robinson Stadium, including the NCAA regional and super regional, Brennan went 2-for-4 with a game-tying, two-RBI single in the third and a two-RBI double that gave the Bruins’ a four-run lead in the fourth.
Though Brennan was eligible for the 2025 MLB Draft, he said he’s left unfinished business at UCLA after having fallen short of the program’s first national title since 2013.
“We made it to Omaha, but didn’t finish the job,” Brennan said. “We want to finish the job this year, so I want to be a big part of that.”
Southpaw Ian May faced a variety of role changes last season. The then-California transfer began the season as the Saturday starter, was moved to the bullpen, eventually became the Friday starter and ended the season with three relief appearances in Omaha.
Friday, the redshirt senior reprised his role as a middle reliever to the tune of four strikeouts and one run over 2.2 innings.
“I try not to be married to a routine, necessarily,” May said. “I just always try to stay ready, and whenever my name is called, be ready for the team.”
May – whose hat seemed to constantly slip forward over his face on his follow through against the Tritons – reached four strikeouts just once last season across 27 appearances.
Roch Cholowsky, meanwhile, received both praise and ridicule.
The junior and reigning ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove shortstop made an over-the-shoulder, sliding basket catch in the fourth and ranged from shortstop to well beyond the second-base bag for an on-the-run, 6-3 groundout.
However, the No. 1 overall 2026 MLB Draft prospect prematurely broke into his home-run trot on a deep fly ball in the eighth – only for it to knock off the left field wall, forcing Cholowsky to sprint into an unguarded second base.
“It’s inexcusable from a very good player,” Savage said. “He made it clear that that will not happen again. … Obviously a tough night, but it didn’t affect his defense.”
Reddemann stabled in the fourth – striking out two while setting down the side in order – and faced just four in the fifth, ultimately ending his night having tossed five innings with six strikeouts and giving up three runs on five hits, two walks and a hit batter.
Savage added that even early on, Reddemann’s fastball was sitting in the 95 to 97 mph range – though the right-hander’s slider left some to be desired. Still, the coach said the University of San Diego transfer’s ability to maintain his velocity throughout his start – still hitting 95 in the fifth inning – was motivating.
“Logan’s a stud,” May said. “I actually play catch with him every single day, so we kind of just talk pitching all the time. I’ve learned a lot from him.”
Though Savage said he would rather not have had to use him, the Bruins ran out closer Easton Hawk to protect a four-run lead in the ninth. The sophomore right-hander promptly sat down three Tritons to seal the opening-night victory.
Freshmen Dominic Cadiz and Aiden Aguayo made their collegiate debuts, finding their names at the tail end of the starting lineup.
Cadiz, who turned down signing with the Milwaukee Brewers as a 2025 15th-round pick, went 1-for-4 as Friday’s designated hitter, while Aguayo – manning second base – finished 0-for-3 with a walk.
“He’s (Cadiz is) going to be a legitimate player,” Savage said. “We don’t know where he’s going to play. … But we know he can hit.”
Savage added that he likes Aguayo as a depth piece given his defensive prowess as a true shortstop.
Phoenix Call – last year’s starting second baseman – didn’t play Friday due to injury, Savage said, but could make an appearance this weekend.
While the junior’s ability to hit and run hasn’t been affected, a low-grade right arm-flexor strain has hampered his throwing ability. Savage added that the injury was unrelated to a labrum issue Call dealt with in the fall.
Though the coach has a stable full of young arms – including 2025 second-round pick and freshman right-hander Angel Cervantes – Savage said he’ll go with senior right-hander Michael Barnett, who’s looking to make his 38th career start, on Saturday.
With one step in the books, the second step back to Omaha doesn’t seem so far
“Stick with it,” Brennan said. “Win the series.”
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