Jacob Johnson hit two home runs, including a go-ahead solo shot in the top of the ninth inning, to lead Saint Mary's to a stunning 3-2 upset over top-seeded UCLA on Friday in the opening game of the Los Angeles Regional at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

The loss marked the first time in NCAA tournament history that a No. 1 overall national seed has lost its opening game of a regional.

Johnson finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored for the Gaels. His first home run came in the fourth inning to give Saint Mary's a 1-0 lead. Makoa Sniffen drove in the team's other run with an RBI double in the sixth that tied the score at 2-2. Starting pitcher John Damozonio was stellar, allowing two runs on five hits over seven innings while striking out six. Cam Staton pitched two scoreless innings of relief, striking out three to close out the historic victory.

For UCLA, Roman Martin tied the score in the fourth with a solo home run, finishing 1-for-4. The Bruins took a brief 2-1 lead in the fifth when Roch Cholowsky drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Trey Gudoy went 1-for-3 with a double and scored a run. The Bruins were shorthanded, playing without starting center fielder Will Gasparino, who was serving a one-game suspension, and losing Payton Brennan to an injury during the game.

After UCLA took the lead in the fifth, Saint Mary's responded in the sixth when Sniffen's double scored Tanner Griffith to tie it at 2-2. The score remained deadlocked until the ninth, when Johnson connected on his second home run of the day off UCLA closer Easton Hawk to provide the decisive run. In the first inning, Gaels right fielder Diego Castellanos extended his hitting streak to 36 games with a single, tying the West Coast Conference record.

Up next: UCLA will play in an elimination game at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. Saint Mary's will play on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET at the same venue. 

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