UCLA Softball Faces Alabama After Blanking Florida State, 4-0

After their 100th WCWS win, the Bruins have moved on to face the Alabama Crimson Tide in game six.

Kinsley Washington slid over home plate at the bottom of the fifth to put UCLA’s first run on the board. (Photo Credit: @UCLAsoftball)

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After staying quiet through four innings, the Bruin bats came out swinging to beat the Florida State Seminoles 4-0, marking UCLA’s 100th Women’s College World Series win. UCLA will now face the Alabama Crimson Tide in Game #6 this evening at 6:30 pm PT. The game will be televised on ESPN2.

Last Time Out

In last night’s game against #10 seed Florida State, the bats were quiet for much of the game as a pitching duel ensued. By the time UCLA came to bat in the bottom of the fifth, Florida State’s Kathryn Sandercock had only allowed one hit while UCLA’s Rachel Garcia had only allowed four.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Kinsley Washington hit an infield single and advanced to second on an FSU throwing error. With two outs, Anna Vines hit a shallow chopper that scored Washington to get UCLA’s first run on the board. It would be the only run of the inning and the Bruins took a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the sixth, Garcia notched her 100th strikeout in her Women’s College World Series career and kept the Seminoles scoreless with another shutout inning.

With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Aaliyah Jordan hit a deep line drive to right field for a base hit. Lauryn Carter, who pinch-ran for Jordan, advanced to second on a groundout by Rachel Garcia. Delanie Wisz came to the dish and sent 1-2 pitch into the gap in left-center for an RBI double up the gap that scored Carter, putting UCLA ahead, 2-0.

At this point, Florida State head coach Lonni Alameda went to his bullpen and brought Danielle Watson in to relieve Katheryn Sandercock to pitch to Maya Brady. Brady launched a two-run homer to deep center field and, at the end of six, the Bruins were up, 4-0.

Florida State had one last chance to put something together, but Garcia retired the side in seventh for the shutout win.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama pitcher Madison Fouts struck out 16 and allowed just two hits yesterday in their 5-1 victory over #11 seed Arizona. The Crimson Tide hit two home runs in yesterday’s contest and sealed their win in the sixth inning with three insurance runs in the inning.

UCLA and Alabama have met three times in non-conference regular season tournaments, the most recent being February 14, 2020 when UCLA blanked Alabama 7-0. Megan Faraimo pitched the shutout in that game, but does not look to be available today as she remained in Los Angeles to be seen by doctors for an injury to her right hand. As a result, expect to see Rachel Garcia in the circle for the Bruins until, at least, the championship series starts on Monday.

The remaining WCWS schedule is as follows:

Friday, June 4

Game 5: James Madison vs. Oklahoma State at 4:00 pm PT on ESPN2
Game 6: Alabama vs. UCLA at 6:30 pm PT on ESPN2

Saturday, June 5

Game 7: Oklahoma vs. Georgia at 9:00 am PT on ESPN
Game 8: Arizona vs. Florida State at 11:30 am PT on ESPN
Game 9: Game 6 loser vs. Game 7 winner at 4:00 pm PT on ESPN
Game 10: Game 5 loser vs. Game 8 winner at 6:30 pm PT on ESPN

Sunday, June 6

Game 11: Game 5 winner vs. Game 9 winner at 10:00 am PT on ESPN
Game 12: Game 6 winner vs. Game 10 winner at 12:30 pm PT on ESPN
Game 13: Game 11 teams (if necessary), 4:00 pm PT on ESPN
Game 14: Game 12 teams (if necessary), 6:30 pm PT on ESPN

Championship Finals

Game 1: 4:30 pm PT, Monday, June 7 on ESPN
Game 2: 4:30 pm PT, Tuesday, June 8 on ESPN
Game 3 (if necessary): 4:00 pm PT, Wednesday, June 9 on ESPN

Women’s College World Series

Game #6

Teams: #2 seed UCLA Bruins (47-5) vs. #3 seed Alabama (51-7)
When: 6:30 pm PT, Friday, June 4, 2021
Where: USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium, Oklahoma City, OK
TV: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app
Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast
NCAA.com

Game Notes:
UCLA
Alabama

NCAA Bracket


Go Bruins!!!

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