| Softball |
|---|
| UCLA — 17 |
| Rutgers — 6 |
First came the calm.
Then came the chaos UCLA created.
Monday’s series finale in Piscataway, New Jersey, saw No. 7 UCLA softball (28-3, 9-0 Big Ten) take on Rutgers (16-15, 3-6 Big Ten). It opened quietly, with both teams being scoreless in the first inning. But UCLA’s offense erupted in the second inning by piling up eight runs and never looking back as the Bruins beat Rutgers 17-6 in six innings to complete the series sweep.
In the first inning, sophomore left fielder Rylee Slimp opened the game with a single for UCLA, but the Bruins stranded two runners. In the bottom half, Rutgers also put two on base, but sophomore pitcher Brynne Nally worked out of the inning without allowing a run.
Then UCLA’s offense exploded.
The Bruins broke the game open in the second inning with eight runs on eight hits, sending Rutgers scrambling before it could settle in. Redshirt freshman shortstop Aleena Garcia got things started with a solo home run to center field, and redshirt junior catcher Alexis Ramirez followed immediately with a homer of her own down the left-field line. After UCLA loaded the bases, senior first baseman Jordan Woolery drove in two runs with a single through the right side.
Freshman third baseman Bri Alejandre then delivered the biggest swing of the inning, launching a grand slam to left center to put the Bruins up 8-0. Rutgers responded in the bottom of the second when they brought in a run, but UCLA wasted no time adding on.
In the third inning, senior right fielder Megan Grant doubled to right center to score Ramirez, and Woolery followed with another two-run single to push the lead to 11-1. Rutgers answered with one run in the bottom half, but the Bruins still held full control.
The closest Rutgers came to shifting momentum was in the fourth inning. After loading the bases, four runs, and a series of walks that trimmed UCLA’s lead to 11-6. For a second, the game tightened.
But then the Bruins added two more runs in the fifth after Grant made a sacrifice fly and Alejandre ripped an RBI single to left center.
Then in the sixth, Woolery delivered her third two-run single of the night, and Alejandre followed again with a two-run double down the left-field line to make the score 17-6.
From a scoreless opening inning to another overwhelming offensive showcase, UCLA turned one massive second inning into complete control, dominating against Rutgers 17-6 in six innings.
Looking forward, the Bruins will prepare to face off against Nebraska on Friday, March 27 at 6 p.m. PST.
