What was the key play ending Virginia Tech’s run?

Deciding RBI single ends Hokies’ season

In the Los Angeles Regional elimination matchup, Virginia Tech’s season ended on UCLA’s late run-production.

After falling behind, UCLA tied the game using two solo home runs. That created a new, even contest heading into the late, high-pressure innings. The final turning point then came in the decisive late situation: with runners on the corners and one out, UCLA delivered an RBI single that scored the run needed to win.

That specific at-bat mattered because it combined two typical elimination-game requirements—scoring with men on base and doing it with limited outs remaining. Virginia Tech couldn’t counter after UCLA converted the opportunity, and the game finished with UCLA prevailing 6-5, ending the Hokies’ regional run.

The broader implication is that the game’s final outcome didn’t hinge on a slow, incremental rally. Instead, UCLA’s offense produced in two stages: first, the home runs to prevent the deficit from becoming too large; then, the clutch RBI single to seize the late lead in a “small margin” moment.

For tournament baseball, that matters because it highlights how quickly an elimination game can shift—one sustained scoring sequence can be enough, but in this case UCLA hit the exact sequence at the right time to force the end of their opponent’s season.