Bang! Bang! Bang! UCLA Softball Hits Back to Back to Back Homers to Beat Long Beach State
The Bruins will take on Fresno State this afternoon in day two of the Los Angeles Regional.
The UCLA softball team will continue their quest for #120 this afternoon when they take on the Fresno State Bulldogs in their second game in the Los Angeles Regional. A win today will move the Bruins to the Game 6 slot tomorrow at 3:00 pm PT, where they will play the winner of today’s evening game.
Last Time Out
In last night’s game, UCLA defeated Long Beach State, 8-0. Megan Faraimo struck out 11 and only allowed two hits and one walk in the mercy rule shutout win.
UCLA wasted no time getting on the board. In the bottom of the first, Aaliyah Jordan took a base when she was hit by a pitch and moved to second when Briana Perez singled to right field. Rachel Garcia hit a shallow grounder and the ball was misplayed, scoring Jordan. A walk to Maya Brady loaded the bases and Kinsley Washington also drew a walk, bringing home Perez. The Bruins stranded three in the inning, but led 2-0 after one.
Kelli Godin started the second with a chopper up the middle for a base hit. She, then, stole her 15th base of the season. Jordan hit a ground ball Long Beach State’s shortstop booted, giving UCLA runners on the corners. Then, the Bruin Bombers took firm control of the game. For the second time this season, UCLA hit back to back to back home runs. First, it was Perez with a three-run home. Then, Rachel Garcia and Delanie Wisz both sent the ball flying over the left field fence. In Wisz’ case, it may have landed on Sunset Boulevard. After two, the Bruins were up 7-0.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Bruins added another when Wisz hit another solo shot to left. This one didn’t seem to go quite as far as her first homer, but drivers may still want to avoid Sunset when UCLA is playing.
With UCLA now ahead 8-0, the Bruins just needed to hold off Long Beach in the top of the fifth to end the game using the mercy rule. Faraimo struck out the side to wrap this one up early.
NCAA Regionals
Today’s game against the Fresno State Bulldogs marks the 25th meeting between these two teams with UCLA holding the 22-2 advantage. The Bruins took on the Bulldogs back on February 12th in their home opener and they shut out Fresno State, 7-0. In that game, Faraimo struck out 13 and only allowed one hit while both Bubba Nickles and Rachel Garcia each hit home runs.
The regional schedule will continue as follows:
Los Angeles Regional Schedule
Saturday, May 22
Game 3 – Fresno State vs. UCLA – 1:30 pm – ESPNU/ESPN3
Game 4 – Minnesota vs. Long Beach State – 4:00 pm – ESPN Family of Networks
Game 5 – Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Winner – 6:30 pm – ESPN Family of Networks
Sunday, May 23
Game 6 – Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner – 3 pm – ESPN Family of Networks
Game 7 – Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser (if necessary) – 5:30 pm – ESPN Family of Networks
Los Angeles Regional Game #3
Teams: #2 seed UCLA Bruins (42-4) vs. Fresno State Bulldogs (37-10)
When: 1:30 pm PT, Saturday, May 22, 2021
Where: Easton Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
TV: ESPNU
Live Stream: WatchESPN.com and the Watch ESPN app
Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast
Game Notes
UCLA
Tournament Bracket
Official Preview
Go Bruins!!!
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Are you gonna write this one up? It was a barnburner!