UCLA softball pummels UCF, advances to Women’s College World Series

UCLA earned a berth in the Women’s College World Series, winning the best-of-three super regional against Central Florida with a 14-4 victory Saturday night at Easton Stadium. The Bruins also set an NCAA record for WCWS appearances, reaching the double-elimination tournament in Oklahoma City 34 times.

Facing elimination, UCF threw five pitchers against the Bruins lineup. No one could silence the UCLA bats.

While Megan Grant had another quiet night, drawing three walks, her presence in the box was enough to run. The right fielder went for a full count in the third inning. With the bases loaded, she hit a sacrifice fly to deep right field. Only a few yards separated her from setting a program career home run record. The brand still belongs to Stacey Nuveman (90 home runs).

One batter later, shortstop Aleena Garcia hit an RBI single that bounced off the top of shortstop Aubrey Evans’ glove to give UCLA the lead. Catcher Alexis Ramirez added a run an inning later when she hit to left.

Meanwhile, UCF starter Tori Payne consistently worked behind the count and walked five batters. The right-hander’s pitch count exceeded 92 in the fifth inning. UCF coach Cindy Ball-Malone pulled Payne when she loaded the bases and gave up a run by striking out a batter.

Reliever Lena Elkins couldn’t make it. Ramirez doubled down the left field line, scoring twice. The Bruins left two on goal.

While UCLA didn’t fall behind after tying the score in the third inning, UCF challenged Bruins ace Taylor Tinsley and the defense more than Friday.

In the first, Tinsley let a bad throw too far into the strike zone and Evans sent the ball flying over the center field wall. Tinsley then took a deep breath and continued. She struck out the next batter and got a quick groundout to third base. When Tinsley ended the inning with a strikeout, she ripped off her mask and screamed as her teammates came out of the dugout to give her a high five.

Tinsley held the Knights hitless until the fourth inning when she allowed three singles. Second baseman Kaniya Bragg kept the Bruins from giving up more runs when she trapped Sierra Humphreys’ single in the dirt before it could reach the grass.

While Tinsley struggled to find the zone in that inning, she stranded runners, striking out a batter and causing a short groundout.

Her control issues resurfaced in the fifth, although she wasn’t the only one facing challenges. With two runners on base, Ramirez attempted to throw out a runner who was stealing second base, but the ball got away from Bragg and spilled into the outfield grass. One runner scored and another advanced to third, later scoring on a foul to left field.

Despite two outs, Tinsley allowed two singles and an equal number of walks, loading the bases and giving up another run. Central Florida’s Coco Jaimes flew out to end the inning, but the Knights had scored three to cut UCLA’s lead to 6-4.

UCF was not able to enjoy the beginnings of a comeback for long. Garcia smashed a three-run homer to right in the sixth inning. Woolery scored an extra run on an RBI double in the seventh and Garcia sealed it with another three-run homer in almost the same spot.

Garcia’s seven RBIs are the most RBIs in a single game in UCLA history. Bri Alejandre hit the final home run of the night, extending the Bruins’ NCAA single-season record home run total to 200. With no one left to pitch, Ball-Malone put Payne back on the mound and she finished the game for the Knights.

Tinsley finished the game with 11 strikeouts and allowed four earned runs, three walks and nine hits, marking his 24th complete game of the season and 32nd victory.

UCLA will face Alabama in the WCWS opener on Thursday.