No. 7 UCLA softball turned an early scare into a statement win Monday morning, rallying past Michigan for a 12-8 victory at Carol Hutchins Stadium in Ann Arbor. The win completed a dominant three-game sweep of the Wolverines, pushing UCLA’s record to a commanding 45-7 overall.
Michigan came out swinging, stunning the Bruins with a flurry of offense in the first inning. A pair of passed balls and a towering two-run homer helped the Wolverines build a 5-1 lead – one of the rare times this season UCLA found itself playing from behind.
But the Bruins didn’t blink. In the top of the second, senior utility Savannah Pola smashed a three-run homer to instantly tighten the score, swinging the momentum back in UCLA’s favor. After tying the game in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly, the Bruins cracked things wide open in the fifth. A mix of patient at-bats and clutch hitting, including a sharp two-run single by sophomore pitcher/outfielder Kaitlyn Terry, helped UCLA drop a four-run frame and grab a 9-5 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Michigan tried to claw back with solo shots in the late innings, but UCLA’s deep bullpen – backed by strong defensive plays – slammed the door. Adding three insurance runs in the sixth, the Bruins closed out the Wolverines and capped off a high-energy road trip.
With the sweep, UCLA maintains its spot near the top of the Big Ten standings and sends a loud message ahead of the postseason. The Bruins will return to Easton Stadium on April 30 to take on Cal State Fullerton, riding a hot streak and looking every bit the national contender they were expected to be.
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Featured Image Photographed by Vivian Le/Daily Bruin
