No.9 UCLA (36-5, 9-1 Big Ten) defeated No. 21 Ohio State (30-9-1, 6-4 Big Ten) 7-0 at Easton Stadium on Saturday. In their first conference series against a top-25 opponent, the Bruins completed a sweep, extending their win streak to eight. The Buckeyes entered the series having won 12 of their previous 13 but were stopped in their tracks by shutdown pitching and relentless scoring.
Adding on to a five-inning mercy-rule triumph on Friday, UCLA’s victory Saturday marked the team’s 9th shutout of the season. Ohio State, who hadn’t been shut out in a single game all season long, was outscored in the series 21-6.
A Rylee Slimp single, bringing in Jessica Clements, gave UCLA the 1-0 lead at the end of the first inning. After this, scoring stalled for both teams alike. Ohio State’s Lorin Boutte pitched a very respectable first five innings, limiting the powerhouse Bruin offense.
Scoring erupted in the bottom of the 6th, an inning featuring two separate three-run homers for the Bruins. A pair of singles set up Alexis Ramirez, who has only played in 10 games this season. The redshirt sophomore, with runners on second and third, launched her first home run of the season to left field, extending the lead to 4-0.
A walk and fielding error put two more UCLA batters onto the bases in the 6th, with Savannah Pola set to take the plate. Pola crushed a deep ball to right-center field, which bounced off the top of the outfield wall before exiting the stadium. Boutte was taken out of the game, but the damage had already been done. A quick 1-2-3 top of the 7th sealed UCLA’s shutout victory.
The Bruins’ pitching masterclass was delivered by Taylor Tinsley, who threw all seven scoreless innings, improving to 9-2 in the season. Tinsley allowed just one hit and struck out 10 batters. Ohio State’s best hitter, Jasmyn Burns, ranked top 10 in the nation in Batting Average, went 0-3 with a strikeout.
UCLA’s key to victory all season long has begun on the mound, with all four of the team’s pitchers recording an ERA under 2.30 this season, a top-ten average in the nation as a unit. A Buckeye offense leading the nation in total runs was held to just six in the series.
With just over a month remaining before the Big Ten Tournament, the Bruins hope to continue their conference success. They will play at Cal Baptist on Tuesday before heading back home for a three-game set against Washington. The Huskies are 28-9, on an 8-game win streak of their own.
Utility player Savannah Pola places the tag on an Ohio State runner attempting to steal second base. Photographed by Maia Salti/BruinLife
Junior pitcher Taylor Tinsley shows intense focus midway through her delivery. Photographed by Maia Salti/BruinLife.
Infielder Kaniya Bragg looks up after making contact with the ball, preparing her sprint to first base. Photographed by Maia Salti/BruinLife
Freshman catcher Maggie Daniel secures the ball after a swinging strike. Photographed by Maia Salti/BruinLife
Outfielder Rylee Slimp follows through on her swing at the plate at Easton Stadium. Photographed by Maia Salti/BruinLife.
Outfielder Jessica Clements slides safely into second base in the third inning. Photographed by Maia Salti/ BruinLife
