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Why UCLA might have an edge over everyone else at the Men’s College World Series

OMAHA, Neb. — An NCAA communications official apologized to UCLA baseball coach John Savage before he could join two of his players on the stage for Thursday’s news conference. They hadn’t printed all the nameplates for the coaches yet.

The coach then sat next to star shortstop Roch Cholowsky and outfielder Dean West at the microphone, finished typing into his phone and leaned forward for his opening statement.

“Well, I think you can see by nameplate, you can tell that they weren’t expecting us,” Savage deadpanned.

UCLA Sports

After a 12-year wait, UCLA is back in the Men’s College World Series

June 8, 2025

He admitted he was teasing before acknowledging the Bruins’ circumstances heading into their Men’s College World Series opener against Murray State on Saturday at 11 a.