#1 UCLA Softball Looks to Avenge First Loss of the Season
#1 UCLA Softball Looks to Avenge First Loss of the Season
The Bruins fell from the ranks of the unbeaten yesterday when they lost to Oregon, 3-1.
Today, the UCLA softball team will conclude play in the Pac-12 Round Robin in Tempe, Arizona with a doubleheader against the Oregon Ducks and the Utah Utes. Game time for Game 1 against the Ducks is 10 am PT while game time for Game 2 against Utah is set for 1 pm PT.
Last Time Out
Yesterday, the Bruins fell from the ranks of the undefeated when they lost to the Ducks, 3-1, as UCLA had trouble scoring for the first time this season.
In the top of the first, the Bruins got a pair of one-out singles from Briana Perez and Aaliyah Jordan, but Delanie Wisz and Maya Brady struck out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, Megan Faraimo gave up a solo homer to Oregon shortstop Alyssa Brito as the Ducks took a 1-0 lead.
Anna Vines led off the fifth with a walk and she advanced to second on a bunt by Alyssa Garcia. After Kinsley Washington grounded out, Vines broke one of the golden rules of softball and baseball when she made the third out at third base while she was thrown out trying to advance on an infield single by Kelli Godin. That mistake left the Bruins still scoreless.
To add insult to injury, Oregon scored again in the bottom half of the inning. Haley Cruse hit a one-out double to left and then scored when Rachel Cid singled to center. That proved to be the game-winning run.
The Ducks added an insurance run in the sixth when Shaye Bowden hit a solo homer to left-center, giving Oregon a 3-0 lead.
The Bruins were finally able to get some runners on in the seventh when Brady doubled and scored on a single from Vines. Garcia also singled to give UCLA runners on the corners with just one out. Alana Snow pinch-ran for Garcia and move to second when Washington was hit by a pitch, loading the bases.
And, then, Kelly Inouye-Perez became her own worst enemy as is inclined to happen during clutch situations. Inouye-Perez chose to pinch-hit for one of the six players on the team to actually have a hit in the game. She sent Julie Rodriguez to hit for Godin and Rodriguez struck out on four pitches. Bubba Nickles followed and struck out for the second time in the game, ending the game with a final score of 3-1.
Today’s Doubleheader
This morning, UCLA will look to return the favor when they play Oregon again at 10 am PT. Then, at 1 pm PT, the Bruins will face the Utah Utes.
The Utes are 9-3 so far this season, but two of their three losses have come against conference opponents. Their first loss of the year came against Arizona State a few weeks ago while the Ducks beat the Utes yesterday, 7-2. Their second loss of the season came against Cal Baptist. So, at the very least, the Bruins should come out of today with at least one win.
Hopefully, they can get some payback against the Ducks, too.
#1 UCLA Softball (6-1)
What: Pac-12 Round Robin
When: Monday, March 1, 2021
Where: Farrington Softball Stadium, Tempe, AZ
TV: None
Live Stream: Pac-12.com and the Pac-12 Now app
Game 1
Opponent: #8 Oregon Ducks (8-0)
Game Time: 10:00 am PT
Live Stats: UCLA Stat Broadcast
Game 2
Opponent: Utah Utes (9-3)
When: 1:00 pm PT
Live Stats: UCLA Stat Broadcast
Official Preview
Go Bruins!
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Loss avenged. 9-3 Bruins over Ducks. UCLA also came from behind to best Utah, 6-5, with a three run sixth inning.