The Bruins’ Midwest debut was nothing short of memorable, characterized by a commanding 8–0 win against the Hawkeyes, an impressive overall hitting percentage of .385 and the long-awaited return of Alexis Ramirez.
Having suffered a season-ending injury in 2024, the redshirt sophomore utility was happy to suit up again in blue and gold. “It was awesome,” said Ramirez. “I think the best part was just being able to be with my teammates again.”
She marked her homecoming to the field by drawing a walk in the first inning, paving the way for teammate Megan Grant to etch the second score of the game onto the board.
Grant, the junior utility and a known pillar of the team, went on to go 3-for-3 and achieved a pair of home runs: once in the second inning – the team’s highest scoring period – and again in the fifth after a score drought. She accrued a batting average of .372, which was bested by fellow NFCA All-American Jordan Woolery, a junior infielder who ended the game with a .438 percentage.
Woolery, the former Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, has thrived thus far in the Big Ten, fortifying her decorated collegiate career with consistent performances in every matchup, and Saturday afternoon’s duel with Iowa was no exception. Woolery was the first Bruin to earn points; she scored two crucial runs going 2-for-3, and amassed two doubles, one of which propelled senior utility Savannah Pola to plate.
On the other side of the coin, junior pitcher Taylor Tinsley spearheaded UCLA’s defensive effort. Iowa struggled to find an answer for her arm and were held to seven strikeouts, an overall hitting percentage of .261 and six scoreless innings – not nearly enough to contend with UCLA’s strong showing.
With the mercy-rule triumph, the Bruins extended their win streak to ten and remained poised for a two-game sweep as they prepared to face the Hawkeyes once more at Bob Pearl Softball Field on Sunday morning.
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Featured Image Photographed by Andrew Diaz/Daily Bruin
