Former West Coast League players led UCLA to the College World Series finals and sweep of Mississippi State to win the program’s first national title. UCLA won game one of the best-of-three championship series, 3-1. Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Pat Valaika knocked in the game-winner in the first with a RBI single and right fielder Eric Filia, a former Wenatchee AppleSox star as was Valaika, increased UCLA’s lead to 3-0 with a two-run single in the fourth. Ex-Wenatchee pitchers James Kaprielian and Zach Weiss held the Bulldogs at bay relieving Adam Plutko and making way for All-American David Berg to set the NCAA DI saves record.

In game two, Filia collected 5 RBIs as the Bruins stomped MSU 8-0 to finish the post-season 10-0. (read more)

In the clincher, Ex-Cowlitz Black Bear center fielder Brian Carroll scored three times and former Bellingham Bell second baseman Cody Regis went 2-for-4 with a RBI.

The Bruins got to Omaha by winning its Los Angeles Regional and then beating Cal State Fullerton in a Super Regional hosted by the Titans.

UCLA advanced to the CWS finals by beating LSU, North Carolina State and North Carolina.

Over 20 Bruin players have ties to the West Coast League. Several current WCLers were part of this spring’s national championship club.

WCL alums who are on UCLA’s active roster:

* Cody Regis- Bellingham
* Pat Gallagher- Bellingham
* Ryan Deeter- Bellingham
* Brian Carroll- Cowlitz
* Justin Hazard- Cowlitz
* Shane Zeile- Walla Walla
* Hunter Virant- Walla Walla
* Brenton Allen- Walla Walla
* Kevin Williams- Walla Walla
* Zach Weiss- Wenatcheee
* James Kaprelian- Wenatchee
* Pat Valaika- Wenatchee
* Eric Filia- Wenatchee
* Ty Moore- Wenatchee

Incoming WCL players who are on the Bruins’ active roster:

* Jake Ehret- Bellingham
* Trent Chatterton- Bellingham
* Brett Urabe- Victoria
* Cody Poteet- Walla Walla

Current WCL players that will be freshmen at UCLA in 2014:

* Chase Radan- Bellingham (redshirt at UCLA)
* Scott Burke- Klamath Falls (HS senior)
* Dominic Miroglio- Walla Walla (HS senior)
* Luke Persico- Walla Walla (HS senior)
* Brett Stephens- Wenatchee (HS senior)

Note: All-American closer David Berg signed with Bellingham in 2012, but he was later added to the roster of Team USA.