Joey McMannis returned to Maryland baseball’s dugout after Mulivai Levu hammered a three-run home run over the towering center field wall. It was only the second inning, yet McMannis’ start ended after surrendering eight runs without recording an out — and the Bruins had more to score.

UCLA tallied all of its 11 runs in an inning filled with defensive miscues and timely hitting. The Bruins (12-4, 2-1 Big Ten) used the second frame to down Maryland in Sunday’s rubber match, 11-5.

Maryland pushed the Bruins to a rubber match in a mercy-rule 13-3 win on Saturday that featured four Terps home runs. On Sunday, McMannis’ disastrous second-inning proved too costly to overcome.

The sophomore right-hander surrendered seven earned runs, six hits and two walks while striking out one. It was the most runs he’s allowed this season and the second-most of his collegiate career.

“Got to get a better start. It’s as simple as that,” coach Matt Swope said.

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After recording two singles to start the inning, the Bruins loaded the bases when Brayden Martin couldn’t corral a ground ball between first and second base. McMannis then walked Cashel Dugger with the bases loaded.

Third baseman Eddie Hacopian failed to secure another ground ball down the left field line, bringing home two more runners. Left fielder Jacob Orr then misplayed a routine flyout in shallow left field as it dropped beside him and his open glove — adding more to the tally before Levu’s homer.

“We had a couple plays defensively [we could’ve played better], but the game was pretty much out of hand from there,” Swope said.

It was the second time this season a McMannis start has been marred by defensive miscues. The right-hander surrendered three unearned runs in the first inning of Maryland’s 5-3 loss against Ball St. on Feb. 15.

McMannis entered 2025 as one of the pitching staff’s few proven arms — he started 10 games as a freshman with a 4.99 ERA. McMannis holds a 12.00 ERA through four starts.

While McMannis struggled in the start, the Maryland (8-7, 1-2 Big Ten) bullpen tossed one of its best outings of the season. Cristofer Cespedes, Devin Milberg, Logan Koester, Andrew Koshy and Andrew Johnson all pitched scoreless innings after Brayden Ryan’s three-inning stint. The group limited the Bruins to one hit.

“Good job with the bullpen. But again, [UCLA] was up 11-1, they’re gonna coast a little bit there,” Swope said. “[We’l] have those guys build on that, see what happens when it matters.”

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The Terps’ offense couldn’t replicate the production early. They stranded loaded bases in the second and third innings and left 11 total runners stranded in the rubber match.

A long-awaited rematch

The last time these two teams met was in the 2015 NCAA regionals. Three-seeded Maryland defeated UCLA — who entered the tournament as the No. 1 overall seed.

The Terps claimed the Los Angeles regional title with a 2-1 victory, advancing to their second straight super regional. Maryland’s roster included five future major leaguers, including the regional’s most outstanding player, outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr.

Swope, who was then Maryland’s director of operations, remembered earning the win on his 35th birthday.

“It was a great birthday. That’s one way to celebrate,” Swope said. “I look back and just look at how cohesive those units were … You can understand why we were so good.”