| Softball |
|---|
| UCLA — 7 |
| Washington — 5 |
Best way to start a show?
With a slamming introduction.
Coming off a double-header win last weekend, the Bruins represented the blue and gold colors again. The No. 6 UCLA softball team (42-5, 17-2 Big Ten) softball team swept No. 25 Washington (34-13, 15-4 Big Ten) 7-5 in a three-game, top-25 Big Ten Conference series at the Husky Softball Stadium in Seattle.
Powerful swings and sharp execution set the tone in the first inning. Senior right fielder Megan Grant delivered the first home run of the matchup, sending a jolt through Washington in the bottom of the first. The Huskies were held scoreless with zero hits and zero runs, while the Bruins kept the momentum rolling. The show had only just begun.
Guiding the Bruins to base, redshirt freshman shortstop Aleena Garcia singled to left field. Freshman third baseman Bri Alejandre was next at bat to single up the middle and push Garcia to second. Redshirt junior designated player and right fielder Ramsey Suarez then grounded out to first base, unassisted.
Fortunately, this gave Alejandre and Garcia the opportunity to each advance one base. Soon after, sophomore left fielder Rylee Slimp grounded out to the pitcher to end the top of the second.
A quiet inning was not going to last for the remainder of the matchup. To add another tally on the wall, Grant hit her second home run to center field. And in the third inning, Alejandre matched that exact script and hit the Bruins third home run of the night.
The Bruins were sitting at a clean 3-0. Washington was able to get a few hits but struggled to make contact with the bases.
Senior first baseman Jordan Woolery kept the momentum going, drawing a walk to give UCLA another baserunner. Freshman pinch runner Jaella Ann Mercado entered for Woolery and quickly moved into scoring position when sophomore second baseman Kaniya Bragg grounded out to third. Redshirt junior catcher Alexis Ramirez then capitalized, singling to center field to bring Mercado home.
The Bruins sat front and center at a steady 4-0. However, Washington knew how to establish their presence once more with a home run to center field.
The matchup continued with Suarez on first after getting hit by a pitch. Freshman pinch runner and right fielder Saydrie Meono ran for Suarez before moving to second. Freshman center fielder Jolyna Lamar then hit a single down the left field line before advancing to second on a throw. As if in alignment, Slimp hit a double to left field and Lamar scored for the Bruins.
The Bruins swiftly made progress, but Washington thought long enough about their next move. All bases were loaded in anticipation of the next hit. Shortly after, the anticipation ended on the mound. A double to left center was hit to give Washington the right amount of time for not one run, but three. Not long after this play, Washington scored an additional run before the end of the bottom of the sixth inning.
The score was tied. Eyes watched every move.
Garcia hit a single to shortstop. Graciously, Alejandre hit her second home run to left center, and Garcia made it home. With best efforts to bring the score back up, Washington fell short to UCLA with a final score of 7-5.
UCLA moves with excitement to continue their take on the three-day matchup. The Bruins will meet back with Washington for game two on April 25, 3 p.m. PST in Seattle.
