No. 8 UCLA softball won both of their games against California in their doubleheader at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday to advance to a 41-5 overall record.
The Bruins’ batters were on fire throughout both games, which lead to blowout wins to close out their four-game stretch against non-conference opponents. UCLA limited the Golden Bears to five innings in both games with the three pitchers stepping on the mound giving up eight hits in both games combined.
Game 1: UCLA won 13-5
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Brynne Nally and freshman left-handed pitcher Natalie Cable pitched in the first game and gave up five hits, a walk and five runs with one strikeout. UCLA scored in four of the five innings and had sent five of their runners home in the first two innings.
After scoring one run in the first, freshman utility Jolyna Lamar hit a homer to left field in the second and senior infielder Jordan Woolery smacked a three-run homer to close out the second. Woolery kept the scoring alive in the fourth with a two-run homer.
The Golden Bears attempted to come roaring back in the top of the fifth with five runs, but the Bruins growled louder with a six-run inning to close out the game.
Game 2: UCLA won 9-1
Senior right-handed pitcher Taylor Tinsley took control of the mound in game two and defended her home field valiantly. Tinsley gave up three hits and a walk for a run, but threw three strikeouts over the five innings.
The Bruins batters also excelled against California’s pitching staff with 10 hits leading to nine runs with eight of their nine runs coming from home runs.
Sophomore outfielder Rylee Slimp started the home run bonanza in the bottom of the first and Woolery followed with a two-run homer of her own. Sophomore infielder Kaniya Bragg crossed home plate for the final run in the first and she was the only Bruin to not score off of a home run.
California had a home run in the top of the third, but in the bottom of the third UCLA sent Woolery back up to bat for her second homer of the game and fourth of the day. Following Woolery’s feat, redshirt junior centerfielder Alexis Ramirez hit a two-run homer and then freshman infielder Bri Alejandre smacked another to left field.
Senior utility Megan Grant batted the last home run of the day in the bottom of the fourth to conclude the enthusiastic outing for the Bruins.
What’s next:
The Bruins will head to Seattle to take on the No. 20 Washington Huskies at Husky Softball Stadium on Friday with an anticipated start time of 7 p.m. PT.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA softball roar louder than the Golden Bears in doubleheader
Reporting by Ryan Lorenz, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
