The UCLA Bruins are the champions after capturing their first College World Series title. UCLA defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs in fashion, shutting them out 8-0 behind a great combination of pitching and hitting.
UCLA's pitcher, Nick Vander Tuig handled business going eight innings, allowing five hits, walking one and striking out six. David Berg came in to close up the game for UCLA, getting Matthew Britton to ground out to first in the top of ninth. UCLA's, Patt Gallagher secured the grounder, tossing it to Berg, who was covering first as the two teamed up to record the final out. UCLA's bench cleared as everybody celebrated on the mound to celebrate the school's first baseball title.
Though Tuig's performance was excellent, had the UCLA bats not responded, then there would have been no championship. Right fielder, Eric Filia, drove in five of the Bruins' eight runs in this game. Filia didn't waste no time getting the Bruins on the scoreboard. He made a loud out to drive in Kevin Kramer from third base in the bottom of the first. Filia struck again, this time with another out on a sacrifice bunt, driving in Brian Carroll, who scored three runs in this game.
The biggest blow of the game came at the bottom of the eighth when, already leading 6-0, Filia drove in two more runs sending a sharp grounder to right field. The scoreboard read 8-0 and the rest is now history.
With this title, UCLA has a total of 109 National Championships.
