The No. 5 UCLA softball team ended their regular season on a high note by run ruling No. 11 Oregon 11-3 in their series finale at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. on Sunday.
The Bruins lost their first two games of the series, but they had the Bruins made quick work of the Ducks in the finale on Sunday. UCLA’s batters came out in full force with 10 hits which led to 11 runs and UCLA pitching held Oregon scoreless in four of the five innings.
Scoring in the first
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Brynne Nally gave up a single to begin the top of the first, but closed it out with a pop-up and two strikeouts. Redshirt freshman shortstop Aleena Garcia took advantage of Oregon’s struggles at bat by igniting the Bruins offense with a two-run home run to center field in the bottom of the first.
Taking over the second
Nally continued to limit the Ducks chances at the plate with the Ducks only base runner coming from a walk. UCLA then exploded in the bottom of the second with six runs starting with sophomore center fielder Sofia Mujica hitting a two-run home run.
Garcia helped two runners cross home plate with her second hit of the game. Shortly after, freshman infielder Bri Alejandre made it on base and allowed two more base runners to get home off of an Oregon fielding error. The Bruins were up 8-0 heading into the third inning.
Oregon responds in the third
Oregon got the better of Nally in the top of the third with three-hits leading to a run. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Sydney Somerndike came in relieve of Nally, but gave up two-more hits and two-runs. Senior right-handed pitcher Taylor Tinsley stepped in for Somerndike to close out the inning and the rest of the game.
Three more in the fourth
UCLA got back on track in the fourth, with Tinsley allowing no runs after walking two batters. Sophomore outfielder Rylee Slimp started off the bottom of the fourth by sending a pitch to center field for a home run. Senior infielder Jordan Woolery followed in suit of Slimp with a two-run homer to put the Bruins up 11-3.
Ending the fifth quick
Tinsley hit a batter with a pitch and walked another, but didn’t allow any hits or runs in the top of the fifth. The scoreless inning for Oregon initiated the run-rule and UCLA took their first win of the series.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA softball win final game of regular season 11-3 against Oregon
Reporting by Ryan Lorenz, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
