UCLA surrenders 10 runs in an inning, rallies to win regional opener
The Bruin Bombers struck again Friday night, capping an epic rally in the opening round of the Los Angeles NCAA Regional.
The No. 7 UCLA softball team was nicknamed the Bruin Bombers because of the record-breaking home runs they hit this season. The decisive strike helped the Bruins avoid a painful loss to open the playoffs.
Shortstop Aleena Garcia became the hero Friday night at Easton Stadium, hitting a sacrifice fly to right field with one out in the seventh inning, bringing in Rylee Slimp and sealing a 12-11 victory over California Baptist (43-18). The Lancers held an 11-7 lead heading into the sixth inning before UCLA mounted a comeback.
“It’s all to the credit [associate head] coach Lisa [Fernandez,]” said first baseman Jordan Woolery when asked about the team’s nickname. “His offensive coaching style changed the way we all played this year, and you can see it [batters] from one to nine.
The fifth inning was a disaster for UCLA, nearly costing the Bruins the victory.
UCLA allowed 10 runs, with a combination of defensive miscues and errors from starting pitcher Taylor Tinsley allowing California Baptist to score eight runs. Brynne Nally replaced Tinsley on the mound and allowed a two-run homer before the Bruins finally stopped the Lancers’ onslaught.
“It wasn’t a typical Taylor Tinsley game, and I know she will bounce back,” UCLA coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said.
The Bruins scored two runs in the sixth before Joylna Lamar hit a two-run homer in the seventh.
Slimp singled and California Baptist walked UCLA batting stars Megan Grant and Woolery to set up the game-winning fly that Garcia hit to right field.
Inouye-Perez said she doesn’t like to talk about Woolery and Grant much because she gets emotional, but she noted they bring calm to the Bruins’ lineup and help each player contribute to game-changing exchanges.
“We already had our senior banquet and cried a lot,” Inouye-Perez said. “But by taking responsibility for being the ones to carry the team and succeed in the big moments, these two did it together.”
The Bruins (48-8) will face South Carolina on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Easton Stadium. UCLA played the Gamecocks in February and won 5-4 in a tie game. California Baptist will play Cal State Fullerton at 4:30 p.m.
Inouye-Perez said Friday night she hasn’t yet decided who will pitch against the Gamecocks.
UCLA’s Rylee Slimp, right, and Bri Alejandre react after scoring the winning point against California Baptist Friday at Easton Stadium.
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Fullerton falls in the first game
Cal State Fullerton held a one-run lead entering the fifth inning, but South Carolina took the lead and earned a 7-4 victory Friday to open NCAA regional play at UCLA’s Easton Stadium.
Left fielder Quincee Lilio hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to give the Gamecocks a lead they didn’t relinquish.
The Titans took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second before the Gamecocks hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the second to tie it 2-2. Both teams scored on defensive errors and Cal State Fullerton singled before South Carolina’s game-clinching home run.
