| Softball |
|---|
| Michigan St. — 10 |
| UCLA — 18 |
This Saturday, No. 7 UCLA softball (24-3, 5-0 Big Ten) handled business in five innings for the second consecutive game against Michigan State (13-12, 0-2 Big Ten), defeating the Spartans 18-10.
UCLA had a dominant first inning, holding Michigan State scoreless while putting up an impressive eight runs. The Bruins opened the game with strong defensive play, limiting the Spartans to five hits before coming to the plate.
Freshman third baseman Bri Alejandre drove a ball into left-center field, bringing home senior first baseman Jordan Woolery and senior right fielder Megan Grant. With the bases loaded later in the inning, redshirt freshman shortstop Aleena Garcia delivered an RBI hit that allowed Bragg to score. After more errors from Michigan State and another left field single by Woolery, the Bruins found themselves in a commanding 8-0 lead.
The Bruins stayed hot in the second inning, keeping the Spartans off the scoreboard. While Michigan State managed more baserunners, UCLA’s defense turned them away to maintain the shutout.
At the plate, UCLA did not start the inning as strongly as the first, as redshirt junior designated player Ramsey Suarez and Alejandre both struck out swinging. However, sophomore left fielder Rylee Slimp ripped a deep shot to left-center field, and a Michigan State error with the bases loaded allowed three more Bruins to cross home plate.
By the end of the inning, UCLA had extended its lead to 11-0. Though it appeared the Bruins might win with another shutout, the Spartans responded in the third.
Michigan State capitalized early in the inning after a missed catch allowed a run to score with the bases loaded, putting the Spartans on the board with three runs. They didn’t stop there. A UCLA error brought in another run.
Sophomore pitcher Brynne Nally then entered the game to change things up. While Michigan State managed to add two more runs before the inning ended, UCLA tightened up defensively.
The Spartans had trimmed the Bruins’ lead to 11-6.
UCLA responded in the bottom half of the inning with explosive home runs that shook Easton Stadium. Alejandre launched a three-run homer to right field, and Garcia followed soon after with a home run of her own. Sophomore catcher Sofia Mujica then capped the inning with another long ball.
Despite allowing the Spartans to score this inning, UCLA led 16-6.
The Spartans added three runs in the fourth inning, while the Bruins responded with two of their own. Even with the scoring exchange, UCLA maintained a comfortable lead heading into the fifth inning with hopes of securing the mercy-rule victory.
Michigan State managed to plate one run in the fifth, but UCLA’s defense stopped them from getting one more score in. The Bruins held onto their eight run lead to secure the win.
UCLA looks to keep their perfect conference record and make it three in a row versus Michigan State as they will play their last game against the Spartans on Sunday, March 15 at 12:00 p.m. PST at home.
