OKLAHOMA CITY — Players facing their old teams after transferring elsewhere isn’t exactly new, but it’s become a regular occurrence for the Texas Tech softball team throughout its postseason run.
First was Mia Williams’ return to Florida, where she was plunked by pitches on five separate occasions. Most recently, Taylor Pannell squared off with her old team, Tennessee, though the Red Raiders came up short in that nine-inning affair — then had more off-field fireworks going off later.
Now it’s Kaitlyn Terry’s turn to see her old squad. The first-team NFCA All-American spent the first two years of her career at UCLA, where she helped the Bruins get to the Women’s College World Series before transferring to Texas Tech.
Both teams are back in OKC and facing elimination. Both must win three games to play for a national championship, a difficult proposition when so much is stacked against each squad.
“I know they’re a great hitting team,” Glasco said of the Bruins, who have hit a record number of home runs this season as a unit, “a great offensive team. I know they’ve got a great pitcher that’s throwing a lot for them. I know they’re well-coached. I know they got a lot of momentum.”
After falling to Alabama in its opening game of the WCWS, UCLA smashed Arkansas 11-0 to win its first elimination game. Now the Bruins have another one against Texas Tech, which will try to regroup after an emotional, long game against Tennessee.
“When the game starts,” Glasco said, “it’s going to be very important; the first couple innings are going to be really important.”
Texas Tech softball vs UCLA in Women’s College World Series: Players to watch
Texas Tech softball’s Jasmyn Burns and Lagi Quiroga
Depending on the pitching plan, one or both of Jasmyn Burns and Lagi Quiroga will be in the order somewhere and will need to provide some more of the punch the Red Raiders have lacked in OKC thus far. Burns went hitless against Tennessee and has been on a homerless streak for the last few weeks. Quiroga is still getting some sea legs back under her after her weeks-long leave of absence, but is one to account for in providing the offense.
UCLA’s Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery
It’s hard to ignore the power-hitting duo UCLA has at its forefront. Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery have been front and center of the offensive explosion this season and have done even more damage in OKC. Grant hit two HRs in the Bruins’ first two games to extend her all-time, single-season record for dingers, and Woolery provides power and consistency, hitting over .500 on the season.
Score prediction for Texas Tech softball vs UCLA in Women’s College World Series
Texas Tech 8, UCLA 7: Look for a high-scoring affair in this one. Taylor Tinsley has pitched all of UCLA’s first two games, while NiJaree Canady and Kaitlyn Terry had to empty the tank against Tennessee. A shorter turnaround for the Red Raiders could lead to crooked numbers for both teams.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: What to watch for as Texas Tech softball faces UCLA in WCWS elimination game
Reporting by Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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