The Tulane baseball team ended its California road trip with a 13-5 loss to UCLA at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Tuesday. The Green Wave, now 2-2 for the season, initially led 2-0 in the first inning and managed to tie the game at four after three innings, but were outscored by nine runs over the remainder of the contest.
Pitcher Blaise Wilcenkski took the loss for Tulane after giving up two runs on three hits in two innings of relief. Starter J.D. Rodriguez allowed four runs—only one of them earned—in just over an inning. Additional relief pitchers included Tom Vincent, who gave up four runs in 1.1 innings; Jake Toporek, who pitched two innings and allowed one run; Michael Devenney, who surrendered two runs in his single inning; and Julius Ejike-Charles, who closed out the eighth.
On offense, Jason Wachs recorded two doubles and drove in two runs. Nolan Nawrocki added an RBI double while Tanner Chun had an RBI single. Johnny Elliott hit his first home run for Tulane.
UCLA’s Zach Strickland was credited with the win after pitching three scoreless innings in relief.
Tulane started strong with a two-run double from Wachs in the opening inning that brought home Harrison and Wood. UCLA responded quickly with a solo home run from Roch Cholowsky in their half of the first inning.
In the second inning, UCLA moved ahead following a Cashel Dugger RBI single and a subsequent two-RBI single by Mulivai Levu. Tulane tied it again at four apiece in the third thanks to Nawrocki’s double scoring Wachs and Chun’s single bringing home Nawrocki.
The Bruins regained control with Will Gasparino’s two-run homer in their half of the third and extended their lead further through additional scoring plays—including another Cholowsky home run and more RBIs from Levu and Martin—culminating with Gasparino’s second home run late in the game.
Despite Elliott’s seventh-inning homer for Tulane narrowing the gap to 10-5, UCLA continued to add runs until closing out at 13-5.
This marks Tulane’s first matchup against a ranked opponent since facing Southern Miss last season. The Green Wave now holds a 2-7 record all-time against UCLA. Notably, Jason Wachs has extended his on-base streak to 30 games—a career high—spanning back to last season.
Brett Rowell, Jake Toporek, and Tom Vincent made their debuts for Tulane during this game.
Tulane returns home next to face Harvard from February 20–22 as they open their home schedule.
Tickets for upcoming baseball games—as well as football and volleyball—are available via phone or online through TulaneTix.com or at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center ticket office.
Supporters can contribute to student-athlete resources by donating through GreenWaveClub.com, calling (504) 865‑5356 or emailing greenwaveclub@tulane.edu.
