The No. 8 seeded UCLA softball survived the offensive onslaught off of California Baptist with a 12-11 win in Game Two of the Los Angeles Regionals at Easton Stadium on Friday.
The Bruins were forced to play a full seven innings as the right-handed pitching duo of senior Taylor Tinsley and sophomore Brynne Nally allowed nine hits and four walks for the 11 runs, while getting five strikeouts. Despite the defensive struggles, UCLA’s batters were able to keep the game afloat with 12-hits and nine walks for 12-runs, while getting six-strikeouts.
First to score
In the bottom of the first inning, UCLA struck first with senior infielder Jordan Woolery blasting a two-run homer to right center. Tinsley allowed her first run of the game in the top of the second with a home run to center field.
Piling on runs
UCLA continued to pile on runs in the top of the third with redshirt freshman infielder Aleena Garcia blasting a three-run homer to begin the scoring frenzy. Junior utility Soo-Jin Berry ended the inning in similar fashion with a two-run home run down the right field line to make it five runs in the third.
Nightmare in the fifth
In the top of the fifth, Tinsley allowed the Lancers to load the bases and the result was her allowing nine runs in the frame. The senior pitcher’s time on the mound ended by allowing a double that gave up a three runs, which was followed by a two-run homer. Nally stepped on the mound to relieve Tinsley and allowed the last run of the inning with a homer. The inning ended with the Lancers up 11-7.
Cutting it close in the sixth
UCLA made it closer with two-more runs in the bottom of the sixth with sophomore outfielder Rylee Slimp running home off of a fielder’s choice and freshman outfielder Jaella Ann Mercado scoring off of sophomore infielder’s Kaniya Bragg’s single.
Winning in the seventh
The UCLA freshman utility Jolyna Lamar tied the game up for the Bruins in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run home run. UCLA wasn’t content with a tie and Slimp scored the game winner off of a sacrifice fly by Garcia.
UCLA moved on to the next game of the Los Angeles Regionals to play South Carolina on Saturday with an anticipated start time of 2 p.m. PT.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA softball rely on a late-inning comeback to defeat Lancers
Reporting by Ryan Lorenz, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
