In a nail-biting Big Ten showdown at Carol Hutchins Stadium, No.7 UCLA (43-7, 14-3 Big Ten) held off a late Michigan rally to secure a 5-3 win on Saturday evening. The Bruins leaned on timely hitting and stellar pitching to fend off the Wolverines (32-16, 9-8 Big Ten) in the series opener.
UCLA struck early. Jessica Clements sparked the first with a leadoff single and stole second, setting the stage for Kaniya Bragg’s two-out RBI single to right, giving the Bruins a 1-0 lead. In the second, Kaitlyn Terry’s two-out single and stolen base paved the way for Clements’ RBI double to left-center, followed by Jordan Woolery’s double to left, pushing the lead to 3-0. Woolery, who went 2-for-4, added a solo homer in the fifth—her 19th of the season—extending UCLA’s advantage to 4-0.
Taylor Tinsley dominated in the circle, earning her 11th win with 6.0 innings, six strikeouts and just one earned run. Michigan clawed back in the fifth, capitalizing on a UCLA error. Indiana Langford’s chopper led to two unearned runs, cutting the lead to 4-2. In the sixth, Ellie Sieler’s single drove in Lauren Putz, narrowing the gap to 4-3.
UCLA responded in the seventh with Sofia Mujica’s sacrifice fly, scoring a crucial insurance run. Freshman Addisen Fisher sealed the deal, retiring Michigan’s final three batters for her first collegiate save. Clements shined, going 3-for-4 with a double and a RBI.
Despite Michigan’s late push, UCLA’s resilience prevailed. The Bruins aim to clinch the three-game series Sunday at 4 p.m. at Carol Hutchins Stadium.
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Featured Image Photographed by Vivian Le/Daily Bruin.
