| Softball |
|---|
| Cal Baptist — 6 |
| UCLA — 13 |
No. 9 UCLA (38-5, 16-2 Big Ten) defeated Cal Baptist (34-14, 10-2 Western Athletic) with a dominant performance of 13-6 in a late inning surge at Easton Stadium Tuesday night.
“It’s what post season is gonna look like…” said UCLA’s head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez.
Cal Baptist started strong and quickly in the first inning with four runs on four hits. A series of singles and sacrifice bunts defined the Lancers’ pace, putting runners in scoring position. Cal Baptist’s senior first baseman Ashlee Annett drove an RBI single, scoring the game’s first run. Senior third baseman Malachy Russell-Millen followed, delivering the major blow of the inning, scoring a three-RBI double to center field. The Lancers marked their spot on the scoreboard, leading 4-0 at the top of the first inning.
In the bottom of the first inning, UCLA responded right away when sophomore left fielder Rylee Slimp launched a solo home run to left field, followed by a solo shot to center field from senior first baseman Jordan Woolery, pushing the score 4-2.
Cal Baptist extended their lead 6-2 in the third inning, as Russell-Millen scored again with a two-run home run.
But again, the Bruins responded.
Woolery maintained her powerful performance, delivering another solo home run, followed by two RBIs from redshirt junior catcher Alexis Ramirez, bringing home sophomore second baseman Kaniya Bragg. While still behind in this tight matchup, the Bruins added to their score 6-5 by the end of the third inning.
But Woolery stayed composed in high pressure moments like these.
“I do better in those situations, I feel like it makes it easier for me to hit because I’m able to lock in a little bit more,” she said. “Just focusing and being in the moment and being present too,” is how Woolery remains collected in these situations.
The fourth and fifth inning were quiet … until the sixth inning.
The Bruins completely flipped the game’s momentum, dominating with a seven run frame. Freshman center fielder Jolyna Lamar started the commanding rally, scoring an RBI double, followed by Bragg adding a two-RBI single.
Inouye-Perez recognized her team’s response at the plate.
“Their ability to respond and send a message is the most important thing, and then we just got stronger through the game,” she said. “They stayed loose, they got better, they focused on tightening things up. We were aggressive on the bases … but I like aggressive versus being hesitant,” said Inouye-Perez.
Later in the sixth inning, redshirt freshman shortstop Aleena Garcia performed a remarkable blow with a three-run home run, defining the Bruins’ advantage. This inning put the game out of reach, limiting the Lancers’ scoring opportunities for the rest of the game and extending the Bruins lead of 13-6.
Inouye-Perez learned her team “can continue to fight. A close game, went to a tie game, went to a game where we can knock the fight out of them,” she stated. “They are making highlight reel plays. We know who we are. We can do damage on offense, we are elite with defense.”
The Bruins’ comeback after an early deficit ultimately defined the game, one that reflects the kind of intensity they plan to keep delivering, and ending this one with a 13-6 victory.
Emphasizing the importance of building on the win, “It’s a really good way to end … so I think it’s important to keep that momentum going and keep it going tomorrow,” said Woolery.
Up next for UCLA, the Bruins are headed to LBSU Softball Complex on April 15 at 6 p.m. PST where they will battle Long Beach State.
