| Softball |
|---|
| UCLA — 27 |
| Long Beach St. — 9 |
In a sport where momentum can swing on a single pitch, the real story is often how quickly silence can turn into noise … and how impossible it becomes to quiet it once it starts.
In Long Beach, California, under a clear-skies evening at the LBSU Softball Complex on April 15, the No. 9 UCLA softball (39-5, 16-2 Big Ten) team delivered an offensive eruption, defeating Long Beach State (24-17, 12-6 Big West) 27–9 in a game defined by defensive breakdowns and relentless scoring pressure.
In the first inning UCLA struck immediately against Long Beach State with starting pitcher Isabella Alonso. Moments later, senior first baseman Jordan Woolery drew a walk and advanced into scoring position, followed by sophomore second baseman Kaniya Bragg doubling to right field. Then redshirt junior catcher Alexis Ramirez contributed a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Woolery, before redshirt freshman shortstop Aleena Garcia added an RBI double to center field. UCLA closed the inning with three runs on three hits, and UCLA led 3-0.
In the second inning UCLA kept pressure as redshirt junior designated player Ramsey Suarez was hit by a pitch, and freshman center fielder Jolyna Lamar walked. Senior right fielder Megan Grant also walked to load the bases. Then came the inning’s defining swing when Woolery crushed a grand slam home run to left field, clearing the bases and stretching the lead dramatically. Long Beach State’s offense was brief, with first baseman Priscilla Iniguez and catcher Brooklyn Lee both retired after a single by Lee. UCLA ended the inning with a lead of 7–0.
In the third inning Long Beach State answered in its most explosive moment of the game. Shortstop Avery Weisbrook delivered a two-run single and center fielder Audree Mendoza added a triple that drove in two more runs. In total, Long Beach State scored seven runs on four hits, and UCLA went quietly in the top half, unable to respond. The game tied 7-7.
In the fourth inning Long Beach State continued momentum briefly, adding two more runs on RBI singles from Nina Sepulveda and Elissa Guerrero. Then senior pitcher Taylor Tinsley entered in relief during the inning and stabilized UCLA’s defense thereafter. Yet, UCLA was held scoreless by Long Beach State’s pitcher and LBSU ended in the lead 7-9.
In the fifth inning UCLA began rebuilding separation. Garcia walked and freshman third baseman Bri Alejandre reached on an infield single. After a sacrifice bunt, Lamar walked to load the bases. Sophomore left fielder Rylee Slimp drove in a run via walk, and Grant added a sacrifice fly. The inning was punctuated by a massive four-run home run from Woolery, her second of the game, restoring UCLA’s dominance. Long Beach State managed only a single and no runs, and the game was tied again 9-9.
In the sixth inning UCLA delivered another six-run surge. Bragg added a four-RBI grand slam earlier in the inning sequence, cementing UCLA’s control. Long Beach State went down quietly, unable to generate offense against Tinsley, who struck out multiple batters. UCLA ended in the lead 15-9.
In the seventh inning UCLA closed the game with its most dominant frame yet of 12 runs in a relentless offensive wave. The inning featured RBI hits from Alejandre, Slimp, Bragg and junior pinch hitter Soo-Jin Berry, who delivered a two-run home run. UCLA batted through nearly the entire order and Long Beach State managed only a double from Mendoza in the bottom half, but the Bruins dominated and ended the game 27-9.
With this exciting win, UCLA softball will prepare to face UC Berkeley on April 18 at 12 p.m. PST at home in Los Angeles, California.
