CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Illinois baseball had a frustrating start to its final home series of the 2025 season on Friday.

The Illini lost to UCLA, 10-9, after the Bruins’ center fielder stole home in the top of the ninth inning to take the lead.

Illinois scored first, using two solo home runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead. UCLA would rally with two runs in the third and four in the fourth to take a 6-2 lead.

Dan Hartleb’s team put together a massive seven-run fifth inning to take back all the momentum. Collin Jennings’ three-run home run headlined the big frame for the Orange and Blue.

Innings six and seven were scoreless. Then, UCLA got two back in the eight to cut the Illini lead to 9-8.

The Bruins tied it on a fielder’s choice groundout in the top of the ninth before chaos ensued. Illini pitcher Zach Bates tossed in a strike with runners at the corners. On the throw back to the mound from the catcher, UCLA center fielder Payton Brennan took off from third. Bates’ throw back home misfired as Brennan slid in safely.

Illinois couldn’t rally in the home half of the ninth inning and left with a frustrating 10-9 defeat.

Four errors haunted Illinois. Only seven of UCLA’s 10 runs were earned.

The Illini fall to 27-20 overall, and 12-13 in Big Ten play, with the loss.

Game two of the series is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 9.