We’re inching closer and closer to the start of the NCAA softball tournament, with the UCLA Bruins hosting the Los Angeles Regional at Easton Stadium this week. Before the regional action kicks off Friday, let’s predict the result of each game in the regional.
Predictions are coming up below, but first, a few added notes: UCLA starts the regional on Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Pacific time in Los Angeles. Then comes the second game between second-seeded Arizona State and third-seeded San Diego State.
On Saturday, there will be three games. There will be a winners’ bracket game between the two Friday winners, then a losers’ bracket game between the two Friday losers. The third Saturday game will put the winners’ bracket loser versus the losers’ bracket (elimination game) winner. The winner of that final Saturday game faces the winners’ bracket winning team on Sunday. The Saturday survivor will need to beat the winners’ bracket champion twice on Sunday to win the regional and advance to the next round.
Now, on with UCLA Wire’s predictions for the Los Angeles Regional at the NCAA Tournament:
Game One: UC Santa Barbara versus UCLA — UCLA wins 10-3
UC Santa Barbara has some imposing bats in their lineup but it just doesn’t compare to the Bruins, who have the skill, the pedigree and the depth to hold off the Gauchos.
Game Two: Arizona State versus San Diego State — Arizona State wins 5-2
The Aztecs come into the regional hot, having won the Mountain West Conference Tournament but they’re likely to face the Sun Devils’ ace Kenzie Brown who could quickly cool off the San Diego State lineup.
Game Three: UCLA versus Arizona State — UCLA wins 4-1
While a pitcher of Brown’s caliber aren’t common, the Bruins have seen more of that level of pitching than the Aztecs and it will show against an experienced UCLA lineup.
Game Four: San Diego State versus UC Santa Barbara — San Diego State wins 6-2
UC Santa Barbara’s successful season will come to a close after two games in the Los Angeles Region and while the Gauchos can slug their way to a victory, it’s a lot to ask for against a solid San Diego State team.
Game Five: Arizona State versus San Diego State — San Diego State wins 3-1
After their initial defeat to the Sun Devils, the Aztecs answer back and send the Sun Devils home packing with a low-scoring win to face off against the Bruins in another do-or-die game for the Aztecs.
Game Six: UCLA versus San Diego State, UCLA wins 11-4
The Bruins won’t play around with their food and will wrap up the region without picking up a loss. The UCLA lineup can catch fire at any moment and there’s no “easy outs” to be found for the Aztecs’ pitching staff. UCLA winning here in Game 6 means there won’t be a Game 7 later on Sunday, May 18.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Predictions: Will UCLA run into trouble in the Los Angeles Regional?
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
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